Maternal and Child Health Services for Medically Indigent Children and Pregnant Women

摘要: Millions of low-income children and women childbearing age are completely uninsured. Medicaid, the nation's largest public health financing program for poor, is an inadequate resource uninsured families with children. By 1984, served only 46% poor near-poor, down from 65% in 1976. To assess availability maternity pediatric services low income children, a survey 51 Title V Maternal Child Health agency officials was conducted 1986. While nearly all states (48) offer some prenatal care programs indigent women, restrictive eligibility requirements limited distribution meant that these reached small proportion those need. Only one state, Massachusetts, offered truly statewide to pregnant incomes under 185% poverty level. Twenty-three reported existence inpatient women. Yet these, too, were extremely limited. Sixteen restricted funds either who participated certain designated or else identified as high risk prior labor delivery period. Fifteen state agencies hospitals denying admission about deliver. Another 13 not yet "active" labor. Six additional aware patient dumping but did identify specific populations affected. Forty-six outpatient programs. However, majority (30) "well-child" care. Seven maintained ages children; three imposed requirement 2 years younger. two any financed administered by other than special needs.