Media Contact: Gina Davis, gdavis@zerotothree.org
Washington, DC — Matthew Melmed, Executive Director of ZERO TO THREE, released the following statement today in response to the U.S. House of Representatives vote on a fiscal year 2025 budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 14):
“Spending proposals voted on in the House yesterday will lead to Congress cutting billions of dollars from programs that help families keep their babies healthy. Make no mistake, cuts to programs that support child care, health care, food, housing, child welfare and economic support for families, especially those with low incomes, will hurt the American economy and American families.
For example, millions of mothers and babies across the U.S. depend on Medicaid for their health care. In fact, Medicaid pays for more than 40% of all births in this country. This vote directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion over the next decade, with Medicaid being the prime target.
Medicaid, a vital federal and state partnership, helps nearly half of America’s children under age 6 get the health care they need to grow and develop. Without strong federal support, eligible babies and families could lose access to important services, and the extra costs could push them into debt.
Similarly, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), serves as a crucial safety net. Each month, it helps 4.5 million children under 5 years old access nutritious meals. Without SNAP, many infants and toddlers will go hungry — a situation that can compromise their physical, mental and emotional development. Healthy food not only supports growth and learning but also reduces the risk of chronic illnesses.
ZERO TO THREE urges Congress to adopt a budget that will support babies and make life more affordable for American families. Congress must prioritize babies’ needs to help give them a strong start in life.”
