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

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

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