This March, we recognized the second anniversary of the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). I must admit we do so with both excitement and trepidation: everything related to the ACA is a political hot potato -- controversial and potentially divisive. As a nonpartisan organization, AMCHP represents members and state programs with varying attitudes towards the ACA and its implementation and we strive to respect both sides in the debate, pro and con. In this issue of Pulse, we present the impact of the ACA on maternal and child health (MCH) programs from an objective perspective recognizing that 26 of our 59 state and territorial members work in states where their attorneys general are suing the federal government to block the ACA. [more]
After the passage of the ACA, HHS requested that IOM provide recommendations for implementing the Women's Health Amendment. IOM formed the 2010-2011 Committee on Preventive Services for Women to identify critical gaps in preventive services for women, as well as recommend measures that will further ensure women's health and well-being. As a member of the committee, I am pleased to share with you some of the background of what this committee proposed. [more]
TACC Established to Support MIECHV Home Visitation Programs
By Erin Bonzon, MSPH/MSW
Associate Director, Women's& Infant Health, AMCHP
The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program Technical Assistance Coordinating Center (TACC) provides support to state and territory grantees in implementing MIECHV-funded home visitation programs. The TACC brings extensive xperience and a wealth of expertise in achieving high quality program implementation, creating integrated service systems and improving program outcomes. Supportive services include facilitating connections with technical experts, offering opportunities for shared learning and identifying best practices. [more]
PREP Aims to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and STIs
By Sharron Corle, MS
Associate Director, Adolescent Health, AMCHP
Maritza Valenzuela, MPH, CHES
Program Manager, Adolescent Health, AMCHP
As part of the Affordable Care Act, Congress authorized the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), which is administered by the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF). The program provides $55 million annually in formula grants to states and territories for evidence-based programs that educate young people on both abstinence and contraception to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other adulthood preparation topics, such as parent-child communication, financial literacy and healthy relationships. [more]
The AMCHP National Center for Health Reform Implementation: Important Resources and a Voice for MCH Populations
By Karen VanLandeghem, MPH
Senior Advisor, National Center for Health Reform Implementation, AMCHP
Passage of the Affordable Care Act marked a critical point for our nation's women, children, including children with special health care needs, and their families in terms of the law's coverage expansions, preventive service requirements, insurance reforms, prevention investments, and focus on quality improvement. Closely following passage of the law, AMCHP created the National Center for Health Reform Implementation to provide resources on the ACA and health systems reform, generally, to AMCHP members and partners. [more]
CMS Launches Strong Start Initiative to Improving Maternal and Infant Health
By Brent Ewig, MHS
Director, Public Policy& Government Affairs, AMCHP
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center was created by the Affordable Care Act to "test new innovative payment and service delivery models to reduce program expenditures while preserving or enhancing the quality of care." According to CMS, the Innovation Center is committed to transforming the Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to deliver better care for beneficiaries, better health for populations and slower growth in expenditures through improvement for beneficiaries. [more]
Prevention and Public Health Fund: A Constant Target
By Carolyn Mullen, MS
Associate Director, Government Affairs, AMCHP
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) provided a historic opportunity to invest in prevention and public health through the creation of a Prevention and Public Health Fund (Fund). The Fund provides mandatory funding for programs authorized by the Public Health Service Act for prevention, wellness, and public health activities to reduce and combat preventable injury and disease. [more]