- Health
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- Public Benefits
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- Special Needs
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- Additional
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) defines Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) as “those who have or are at risk for a chronic physical, environmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.”
INCOME SECURITY
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Family Medical Leave Act of 1993
American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
EDUCATION
See also Special Education
HOUSING
Home and Community Based Services
See also Fair Housing Laws
HEALTH
Title V, The Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant
See also Health Tab
The Federal Budget Process 101
A Note On the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress
After a historic election, the Obama administration and the 111th Congress will lead the United States through one of the most turbulent times in American History. The country is faced with a financial crisis, the potential collapse of the American automobile industry, two wars, and an escalating health care crisis.
US Health Care expenditure currently accounts for 17% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (2.4 trillion dollars) and is projected to reach 20% by 2017 (i). There are currently an estimated 45 million uninsured individuals (ii) Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with the US Health Care system and some states have initiated or are exploring health care reform on their own. It is no wonder that despite the other issues we face, health care reform remains among the most pressing.
Both the Obama administration and leaders of Congress have made it clear that health care reform will be on the agenda in 2009. Their resolve will be tested early as key health care issues such as SCHIP reauthorization and the expiration of a moratorium on key CMS regulations regarding Medicaid, will be up for debate early in the year.
The following websites are helpful to follow the events as they unfold. Also please visit our policy blog to share your thoughts on a variety of issues.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/
(Last Updated 1/10/2009)
i. Keehan, S. et al. “Health Spending Projections Through 2017, Health Affairs Web Exclusive W146: 21 February 2008.
MENTAL HEALTH
Bright Futures defines mental health as the ability to:
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Experience a range of emotions.
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Possess positive self-esteem.
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Respect others.
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Harbor a sense of security and trust in self and the world.
With 20% of children in the US experiencing the signs and symptoms of a DSM-IV disorder during the course of a year – half of whom have a “serious emotional disturbance” that causes significant functional impairment – it is imperative that pediatricians recognize mental disorders and learn how to advocate for these children.
MENTAL HEALTH POLICY