A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds FOR UNCOMPENSATED PRENATAL CARE FOR NON-MEDICAID, LOW-INCOME PATIENTS SERVED BY LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.
Whereas, women that receive no prenatal care are three times more likely to deliver a low birth weight baby; and
Whereas, eighty percent (80%) of women at risk for having a low birth weight baby can be identified through their first prenatal visit; and
Whereas, a shift of only half a pound (250 grams) in a baby's birth weight saves an average of $14,000 in first year medical costs alone, and a shift of just over one pound (500 grams) saves about $28,000; and
Whereas, the cost of caring for five low birth weight babies will pay for the prenatal care of 149 women; and
Whereas, hospitals and physicians receive payment for delivery in hospitals through Emergency Medicaid, but prenatal care is not covered; and
Whereas, the demand for prenatal services offered to non‑Medicaid, low‑income patients served in local public health departments has increased significantly due to the surge of the uninsured population; and
Whereas, block grant funds, which are a combination of State and federal funding, have decreased since the mid 1990's and are projected to continue to decrease; and
Whereas, appropriations from local governments, which have made up the additional revenue needed to keep the local health department maternity program viable, have decreased due to the rising costs of the county share of Medicaid and the withholding of tax revenue from the State; and
Whereas, many counties have serious concern for the future viability of their maternity programs, which will limit the access of care for uninsured maternity patients; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of seven million dollars ($7,000,000) for the 2003‑2004 fiscal year and the sum of seven million dollars ($7,000,000) for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year. These funds shall be allocated to local public health departments for service delivery to non‑Medicaid, low‑income prenatal patients.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2003.