MEDIA CONTACT:
Gina Davis, gdavis@zerotothree.org, 202-864-2934
Washington, D.C. – Melissa Boteach, chief policy officer at ZERO TO THREE, released the following statement this morning in response to the proposed President’s budget that drastically cuts funding for programs critical to the health and well-being of babies and their families:
“This proposed budget is an attack on our youngest children and the families working hard to raise them. It guts funding for essential programs that help families afford child care, get health care, put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. It would make it that much harder for babies with developmental delays and disabilities to get the intervention services they need.
“In addition to cuts Congress is considering to lifelines like Medicaid and SNAP, the President’s budget will force families to make impossible choices: go without food or health care or go into debt trying to provide for their children. If this budget becomes reality, families across the country, especially those with low incomes, will face rising costs and fewer resources, making it even harder to give their babies a strong start in life.
“Families need solutions, not chaos and cuts. We urge Congress to stand up for babies and their families. Reject these devastating cuts and pass a budget that puts children first and makes life more affordable for all families.”
