The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy released its 2006 Legislative Report on Children and Youth. Below you will find the bills that were of particular importance to Maternal and Child Health Advocates. To view a full copy of the report click on the link below
The Child Advocate

Prenatal Care: "Assure access to quality health care for all pregnant women, which may include: increasing covered services, increasing the number of "safety-net" providers, providing coverage for more women through all insurance types, and providing incentives for predominatly Medicaid providers."

• The Oklahoma Health Care Authority requested $630,000 for High-Risk OB. HB 1071 appropriated $622,806 for OB High-Risk Care.

• The Oklahoma State Department of Health requested $1,200,000 for Safety Net Providers. SB 34 appropriated $700,000 for Safety Net Providers.

School/Community Health Projects: "Expand community-based abstinence programs and teen-pregnancy prevention programs, and support school health programs in urban and rural areas and tribal entities."

• The Oklahoma State Department of Health requested $1,302,000 for School/Community Health, and $1,219,000 for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Projects. No new funds were appropriated for either program

Substance Abuse Services: "Increase funding for substance abuse servcies for adolescents and pregnant and parenting mothers, including residential and community based treatment."

• The Department of Mental and Substance Abuse Services requested $2,500,000 for treatment for Pregnant/Parenting Moms and an unknown amount for Adolescent Treatment Services. SB 36 appropriated $1,500,000 for adolescent substance abuse treament, but nothing for the treatment of pregnant and parenting moms.

Parent Education: "Provide services to additional families by increasing funding for child abuse prevention programs, such as Children First, Office of Child Abuse Prevention, Child Guidance Services and Oklahoma Parents as Teachers Program.

• The Oklahoma State Department of Health requested $1,200,000 for Children First, $650,000 for the Office of Child Abuse Prevention, and $1,268,000 for Child Guidance Services. The State Department of Education requested $3,074,936 for Parents as Teachers. SB 34 appropriated $650,000 for Children First, $650,000 for the Office of Child Abuse Prevention, $000 for Child Guidance. SB 3 appropriated no new funds for the Parents as Teachers program.

Other Bills of Interest:

• Medicaid Reform- The costs of medical care and health insurance have skyrocketed in recent years, causing lawmakers around the country to seek ways to curb costs. HB 2842 is the Medicaid Reform bill that creates a pilot program that will touch all those involved in health delivery--consumers, physicians, nursing homes, pharmacists and hospitals. The plan will cost over $100 million to implement, and funding was provided during the Special Session.

• Genetics- Advances in genetics are helping physicians identify and treat genetic disorders in newborns in order to ensure optimal healthy outcomes. Last year, almost 50,000 Oklahoma infants were screened for cyctic fibrosis (CF) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), providing an opportunity for early and comprehensive follow-up services. Because of the complexity of these issues, genetic counseling has emerged as a discipline to help educate patients, their families and physicians. SB 990 creates the Oklahoma Genetic Counseling Licensure Act to provide a means for the Board of Health to set standards and requirements for these professionals.

• Breastfeeding Friendly Work Places- HB 2358 provides guidelines for employers to create a positive environment for new mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding their babies after returning to work. Research shows that breastfeeding benefits both the mother and infant by reducing the risk for obesity, diabetes, respiratory problems, stomach infections, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that about 25% of Oklahoma mothers choose breastfeeding over formula, leading the organization to issue a goal to double those numbers. This would mean an additional 12,500 breast fed infants, saving the state an estimated $24 million per year in profected healthcare costs!