MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH BLOCK GRANT

The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (MCHBG) is a U.S. federal program designed to improve the health of mothers and children. It was created under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. In federal fiscal year 2000, the MCHBG amounted to $709 million. Each state's share is calculated on a formula based on the state's share of the seven programs that Congress consolidated under Title V of the Social Security Act. These programs dealt with specific conditions such as adolescent pregnancy, lead poisoning, sudden infant death, and hemophilia and other genetic conditions. States must provide three dollars to match every four dollars in federal MCHBG funds they receive.

The MCHBG enables the federal and state governments to address issues like infant mortality, access to health care for mothers and children, rehabilitation services for blind and disabled children, and coordinated care for children with special health care needs (e.g., children with disabilities). States must spend at least 30 percent of their MCHBG funds for prevention and primary-care services for children, and at least 30 percent for children with special health care needs.

A portion of the MCHBG is set aside at the federal level for Special Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS) grants, the Traumatic Brain Injury Demonstration Grant Program, and other specialized purposes. The program is administered by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration. About 17 million women and children receive services funded, at least in part, by the MCHBG.

Rick Davis

(see also: Child Health Services; Health Resources and Services Administration; Maternal and Child Health )