Maternal and Child Health
Since many health problems begin in infancy and childhood, screening and intervention programs for children, youth, mothers and pregnant women can have positive effects throughout the lifespan. Maternal and child health programs are affected by a number of laws and policies including those governing data privacy, required care and reimbursement.
Resources
Medication Abortion: A Federal-State Legal Tug-of-War
State-Based Abortion Protections
Abortion Access: A Post-Roe Public Health Emergency
WIC: Lessons Learned from COVID-19
Law and Policy Pathways to Equity in Birth Outcomes
Lead Safe Housing Rule: Overview and Opportunities for Public Health Advocates
Improving Childhood Lead Screening Rates in Illinois and Ohio
Policy Surveillance: Preschool Social and Emotional Learning
Maternal Mortality Review Committees
State Lead Testing Policies for Children Not Enrolled in Medicaid
Infant Safe Sleep Laws in Five States
Spotlight
Legal and Ethical Implications of Increased Rates of Sterilizations Post-Dobbs
The Persistent Criminalization of Pregnant People Who Use Drugs
Using Local Ordinances, Resolutions, and Non-Prosecution Measures to Protect Reproductive Health
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A Closer Look at Maternal and Child Health
Screening and intervention programs for children, youth, mothers and pregnant women can have positive effects throughout the lifespan. The Network can assist with a range of legal and policy issues that impact:
- Screening services, including newborn screening, immunizations and medical, vision, hearing and dental screening for children and youth.
- Early intervention services for young children.
- Nutrition, including breastfeeding, WIC and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Child safety, including injury prevention, child abuse reporting and anti-bullying.
- Funding for maternal and child health services, including Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT), Title V and Affordable Care Act provisions.
- Delivery systems and linkages, including managed care entities, Accountable Care Organizations, school-based services and health departments.
- Data retention/use/sharing and confidentiality, including newborn screening, minor consent and sharing between agencies and providers.
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Legal Assistance Library
Explore the Network’s Legal Assistance Library to find answers to commonly asked questions on a variety of public health topics.