MATERIAL AND CHILD HEALTH: Block Grant Funds Should Be Distributed More Equitably.
Abstract
Securing basic health care for low- and moderate-income expectant mothers, their infants, and children with special health-care needs poses difficult problems. These three groups are the intended beneficiaries of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services block grant, an important federal program that provides funding to the states. MCH funds help them provide basic health-care services-such as prenatal and postpartum care-to those who might otherwise be at risk of not receiving them. GAO was asked by the Chairman of the Senate Ilinance Committee to examine the current formula under which MCH funding ($453 mfflion in fiscal year 1990) is allocated among the 50 states and the District of Columbia (referred to in this report as "the states"). Concerned that current MCH allocations do not adequately reflect differences in states' populations of children at risk, health care costs, or their ability to pay for health care, the Chairman asked GAO to (1) develop equity standards that reflect the states' comparative needs, as measured by the number of potential beneficiaries, the costs of health care in each state, and the comparative abilities of the states (that is, their taxpayers) to help fund maternal and child health programs; (2) assess the extent to which the present MCH funding allocation adheres to these standards; (3) create alternative formulas under which MCH funds might be distributed more equitably among the states and assess the potential effects if these formulas were applled; and (4) explore ways of phasing in these formulas while keeping the disrnption of services to a minimum. Pg. 3 JMD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA290646
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office