Obama administration denies efforts to cut health services for kids

Our Wisconsin member organization reports great news for child health: The Obama administration will deny attempts by state governments to shrink child health services. In a visit to the state last week, Department of Health and Human Services head Kathleen Sebelius announced that she will not grant waivers to the health reform law that would result in fewer kids getting coverage.

The statement comes as some state governments ask for flexibility regarding a part of the health reform law known as Maintenance of Effort. This provision means that states cannot let their support for Medicaid and other health services go slack while the nation waits for the health reform law to fully take effect in 2014. Child advocates are relieved that the Obama administration does not plan to grant major exceptions to Maintenance of Effort, keeping programs like Medicaid stable and available for millions of children nationwide who depend on them.

Read our Wisconsin member’s piece, hosted by our friends at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families!