- The ARC - California Edition -

The Budget and Prevention Issues

The components of proposed 1997-98 state budget that are related to prevention activities are receiving a lot of attention this session. Some of this is coming out of the new federal legislation where a state is now allowed to eliminate programs that fund prenatal care services for women that are not citizens, and have entered the country without proper approvals.

Early this year hearings were held on regulations which will end these programs. The hearings became a forum for organizations to voice their opposition. Their testimony highlighted the point that prenatal care is cost effective and a critical component of any healthy pregnancy, and that restricting this care can cause serious health consequences for not only the undocumented mother, but also for the new US citizen - the infant.

As expected, the administration has proposed in the 1997-98 budget to stop using Medi-Cal funds for prenatal care services of undocumented women, and also to eliminate use of these funds for long term care of undocumented persons.

The administration is proposing some additions for the Medi-Cal budget. These include $15 million to expand childhood vaccine coverage, $50 million for continuation of Healthy Start, and $9 million to continue abatement efforts for children with excessive blood lead levels.

Welfare reform proposals include replacing the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program with one that will reduce the number of people eligibile, and will consider family income in establishing the benefit level.

The legislature has now turned its attention to this proposed budget, as the solons have a legal mandate to complete their work in time to allow for the budget to be signed prior to the June 30, 1997 deadline.