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Falling Short: Most States Lag on Dental Sealants
Maryland Advocates Kick Off ‘Breakfast For Success’ Campaign
Lt. Gov. Brown Unveils Maryland Health Connection
The O'Malley Administration has launched Maryland Health Connection, a new website for Maryland's insurance exchange under the federal health care law that will begin open enrollment in October 2013. More than 100,000 Marylanders are expected to purchase insurance through the site next year, with that number growing to more than 250,000 within five years. The first state-subsidized plans will become effective in January 2014. Read more about it. Read more >>
Secretary Sebelius comes to Baltimore to talk about the ACA
HHS Secretary Sebelius gathers with women to hear their stories as the economic decision-makers for their families and discuss changes in health care made available by the Affordable Care Act.
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Deamonte Driver remembered for National Children's Dental Health month
Five years ago a young Prince George's County boy died after bacteria from a toothache infected his brain. The tragedy put a spotlight on the importance of oral hygiene and accessibility to dental care. Read more >>
Maryland Receives $28.3 million CHIPRA Bonus
Maryland’s efforts to identify and enroll eligible children in its Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) have received national recognition and a $28.3 million performance bonus from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Read more >>
Health Care Reform
Maryland continues to be recognized as a national leader with respect to implementation of health care reform. A recent study by U.S.PIRG evaluated 12 states on multiple policies and criteria that will determine the ultimate success of exchanges in improving health care for consumers. Maryland was one of two states to receive an "A" assessment.
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Family Planning Works Act
Press conferences were held in Prince George's County on November 16th and in Baltimore City on November 21st to highlight the new bipartisan state law that will provide free family planning and preventive services for low-income women in Maryland.
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ACY Applauds the Supreme Court Decision to Uphold the ACA
Maryland Advocacy Organizations Respond to Study on Insurance Coverage
Leigh Cobb, ACY's Health Policy Director attends the signing of the Health Policy Exchange
On April 12th Governor O'Malley signed this important legislation to create a Health Benefit Exchange for Maryland consumers. This makes Maryland one of only four states (California, Washington, and West Virginia) that to date has established in law this key component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Read more >>
The top five things you need to know about the Affordable Care Act
The Maryland Oral Health Literacy Campaign: Healthy Teeth, Healthy Kids!
PR: ACY a Voice for MD’s Children in the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange Act of 2012.
ACY Celebrates 3rd CHIP Anniversary
Advocates for Children and Youth (ACY), whose mission is promote policies and
programs that improve results for Maryland children in measurable and meaningful ways, celebrates the third anniversary of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) tomorrow with a call to action for federal authorities to enroll even more children in the program over the next three years. Read more >>
Becky Wagner Testifies on Behalf of the Maryland Meals for Achievement Program
Childhood hunger activists were out in force on Monday, opposing a recommendation to cut additional funding for a program that provides thousands of students with a free classroom breakfast in participating schools across the state. Read more >>
FIVE YEARS LATER: DENTAL ACCESS FOR CHILDREN
Significant Progress Made but Challenges Remain To Increase Oral Health Access
Spurred by Deamonte Driver's tragic death five years ago, Maryland has initiated fundamental reforms to address dental access issues for low-income children. Encounter data shows a steady rise in annual dental visits for low-income children. Read more >>
Dental Students Make Budget Case
University of Maryland Dental School students and faculty shared budget concerns with a group of Maryland legislators; make case for funding to continue to serve underserved populations. Read more >>
Billion Dollar Babies: ACY Study
The cost of providing neonatal intensive care to sick babies topped $1 billion in Maryland over six years, based on a new analysis by Advocates for Children and Youth. Providing pre-pregnancy services to more women has a one-time cost of $2.6 million, but will save the State many times that, and voters strongly support this expansion. Read more >>
Better School Food Among Keys To Fighting Childhood Obesity
Obesity has doubled in Maryland over the past 20 years, and nearly one-third of youth are obese, with significant consequences for health and the State’s finances. Key strategies to combating childhood obesity include improving school lunches, mandating physical education in schools, making healthier food available in low-income neighborhoods, reducing watching of television and increasing access to parks. Maryland has already begun to use these strategies and can expand them statewide. Read more >>
Voters Strongly Support Pre-Pregnancy Services
Voters overwhelmingly support providing pre-pregnancy health and family planning services to women, a strategy that will reduce the State's high infant mortality rate and reduce the high percentage of low-birthweight babies. A one-time $2.6-million expense will yield significant savings over the following three years and save lives. Read more >>
Maryland’s Infant Mortality National Ranking Drops to 42nd
Recent data shows an improvement in infant mortality, which is good news and may reflect better services. However, racial disparities are wider than ever, and too many babies are still dying or sick. Maryland needs to fully implement the Governor’s infant mortality plan, including expanding family planning services to more women prior to their first pregnancy. Read more >>
U.S. Ranks 42nd In Child Mortality
Child mortality rates in the U.S. are among the worst in the world. Maryland, the wealthiest state in the country, is at the national average in child mortality. So, if Maryland was its own country, it would be the wealthiest but have among the highest child mortality rates.
State to Send Health Insurance Applications To Eligible Children
The legislature passed a bill, sponsored by Del. Heather Mizeur, to send applications to parents of children who are uninsured but eligible for Medicaid, based on the state income tax returns. This may mean that the State is eligible for a multi-million federal bonus. The Governor also preserved funding for his infant health and dental access initiatives. Although the General Assembly did not expand family planning to more women before their first pregnancy, the State plans to move ahead anyway.
Immediate Opportunity To Expand Home Visiting Services
Although many features of the historic health care reform will take years to go into effect, Maryland is immediately eligible for millions of dollars in extra funding for home visiting programs. Read more>
State Losing Federal Bonuses Due To Enrollment Barriers
To enroll more eligible children in Medicaid and the Maryland’s Children Health Program
and receive significant federal bonuses, Maryland needs to adopt several specific policy changes, including immediate eligibility determinations and automatic renewals. Read more >>
Despite "A" Grade, More Dental Work Needed in Maryland
Maryland received an "A" from the Pew Charitable Trusts for significant changes in policy that should boost children's access to dental care. The report card showed that Maryland is behind in actual delivery of services. The State is in the process of developing a unified campaign to educate parents and is working on providing school-based screenings for Maryland's children. Read more >>
State Expands Substance Abuse Treatment to More Adults
Thanks to the leadership of Del. Pete Hammen and others, more Maryland adults can access substance abuse treatment, through the Primary Adult Care (PAC) program. This includes parents who need treatment to regain their children, but lost their health insurance once the children were placed in foster care. The expansion was made possible by leveraging more federal funding. Read more >>
States Taking Advantage of New Options in Children's Insurance
One year after the passage of the federal Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), many states are taking advantage of new opportunities to improve access. A federal report shows that Maryland is behind other states. Read more >>
Pregnant Women Can Receive Free Advice By Texting
Pregnant women can text "BABY" to 511411 to receive weekly text messages, on nutrition, immunization and birth defect prevention. The messages will continue through the baby's first birthday. Read more >>
Children in Federal Health Care Reform: Where Things Stand
The country has made significant progress covering more children, primarily due to the success of Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Federal health reform has the potential to build upon this success by opening new doorways so that all children have quality and affordable health insurance and by providing new coverage options for their parents and the other adults in their lives. For a recent analysis, click here.
Gov. Maintains Dental Funding, Begins Infant Health Strategy
The Governor's proposed budget does not cut funding for dental reforms started two years ago and includes money to enable more pregnant women to get early access to prenatal care. Read more >>
National Spotlight on Home Visiting Programs
An influential think tank highlighted the value of home visiting programs for pregnant women and new parents, a key component of the Governor's strategy to improve Maryland's terrible birth outcomes. Read more >>
In Memoriam: Lorraine Sheehan
Lorraine Sheehan was an important ally of Advocates for Children and Youth who worked hard to improve health care for Maryland's families. Read more >>
Maryland Given F for Prenatal Care; Need for Urgent Action
The March of Dimes gave Maryland an F on its premature birth report card. The poor mark, and more recent data, confirms the Governor's decision to prioritize reducing infant mortality and to implement an action plan.
Stakes High for Maryland’s Children in Health Care Reform
Now that the U.S. Senate will debate health care reform, the question is whether children will keep the same level of services they have under the existing Children’s Health Insurance Program. Advocates for Children and Youth has examined the House and Senate bills and what they may mean for Maryland. Read more>>
ACY Thanks Maryland's U.S. Reps for Health Vote
For voting in favor of health reform, ACY sent letters of thanks to six of Maryland’s U.S. representatives: Elijah Cummings, Donna Edwards, Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Chris Van Hollen. The letters affirmed the importance of preserving the full array of services required under the current Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For one of the letters >>
State Announces Outlines of Plan to Reduce Infant Mortality
To address Maryland’s high infant mortality rate, the State will expand services to women before they become pregnant, expedite Medicaid enrollment for pregnant women so that they get earlier prenatal care, and ensure that high-risk women receive more intensive services after pregnancy. The initiative will initially focus on Baltimore City and Prince George’s and Somerset Counties. Read more >>
Slow Progress on Dental Reforms; Some Reforms Stalled
More dentists are participating in Maryland’s Medicaid program for children, and there was a modest increase in the percentage of children receiving dental services in 2008, based on data recently released by the State and analyzed by Advocates for Children and Youth. However, 6 of every 10 children on Medicaid still did not have a dental visit during the year. Read more >>
More Parents Enroll in Health Insurance Than Expected
After the State expanded health insurance to more parents, 50,000 parents enrolled, double the number expected. Another positive: parents are signing their children up at a higher rate. Read more>>
One-Stop Shops Can Help Struggling Maryland Families
Maryland can help struggling families by creating one-stop shops where families can apply for multiple benefits. There are existing models upon which the State can build, in other states and in Maryland. It is particularly important that two new state efforts—one for health and the other for family work supports like food stamps--be coordinated. Read more >>
Health Bill Keeps Children's Program, Until 2019
Led by U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller and supported by advocates, the Senate Finance Committee rejected a plan to move millions of children out of the successful Children's Health Insurance Program. However, the proposed bill keeps CHIP through 2019. Read more >>
Maryland’s Infants Continue To Fare Poorly
Maryland’s infants continued to fare poorly in 2008, making more urgent the need to improve access to health care before pregnancy, ensure proper care for women with a poor first birth outcome and expand home visiting programs. Read more >>
Governor Launches Tour To Raise Dental Awareness
Governor O'Malley is leading a "Healthy Smiles" tour to raise awareness about children's dental health and to highlight progress since the death of Deamonte Driver.
Latest Budget Cuts Fall Heaviest on Health Care for Families
The Maryland Board of Public Works generally made the best possible choices with the latest budget cuts, but three health and health-related cuts may cost more than they save, and the job of restructuring government remains mostly undone. Read more >>
ACY's Urges Maryland's Federal Delegation To Prioritize Children In Health Reform
ACY asked Maryland's U.S. Senators and Representatives to support health care and home visiting for women before, during and after pregnancies and to maintain existing benefits for children. For the letter ACY sent to Senator Ben Cardin. Read more >>
Maryland Falls Sharply in Birth Outcomes National Rank
Maryland's national ranking on birth outcomes fell sharply. Maryland now ranks 43rd in the percentage of low-birthweight babies and 39th on the infant mortality rate. Read more >>
Infant Mortality Falls in Virginia
Fewer babies are dying in Virginia. In Maryland, the infant mortality rate remains high and unchanged. Read more >>
In Memoriam: Dr. Worth Daniels, Helped Improve Children's Health
Dr. Worth Daniels was a quiet but fervent supporter of efforts by Advocates for Children and Youth and others to improve the quality of health services for children. Read more >>
Federal Health Care Reform: Opportunity, Risk For Children
Federal efforts to expand health care can improve the health of Maryland's infants by ensuring that more women are healthy when they become pregnant. One danger is a possible reduction in health benefits for low-income children. Advocates for Children and Youth is tracking this complex reform effort and will maintain the latest information on a new webpage. Read more >>
More Parents Than Expected Enrolling In Health Insurance
Kudos to Governor Martin O'Malley for expanding health insurance to more parents, who are enrolling in higher numbers than expected. Read more >>
Improving Birth Outcomes Top Priority for Governor
Governor established as one of his top priorities reducing infant mortality. As noted previously by Advocates for Children and Youth, birth outcomes in Maryland are poor, even though the State is wealthy. ACY is working with the Administration, state legislators and other advocates to develop a cost-effective strategy that improves health services for women, before, during and after pregnancy.
NEW HEALTH GRANTS!
New federal funds are available to community groups and others to reach children in Maryland who are eligible for health insurance but not enrolled. Read more >>.
Mayor Announces Baltimore City Birth Outcomes Effort
Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon announces a major three-year strategy to improve birth outcomes in 12 neighborhoods, where community-based programs will employ intensive outreach and education. Advocates for Children and Youth has consistently drawn attention over the past year to Maryland's poor birth outcomes and their high financial cost. The problem is statewide, and Baltimore City is among the first jurisdictions to commit to address the problem. Read more >>
Marylander To Receive National Award for Dental Leadership
Dr. Hazel Harper will receive the Marvin Goldstein Outstanding Volunteer award from Oral Health America for her leadership of the Deamonte Driver Dental Project. She will receive the award on June 5th at the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, where John Colmers, Maryland Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, will help launch National Smile Month.
Law Gives Foster Youth Health Coverage Until 21
Governor O’Malley signed into law the Foster Kids Coverage Act which allows youth in foster care to keep their health insurance until 21, even though many leave state custody at 18. Delegate Heather Mizeur was the lead sponsor for House Bill 580, which enables these youth to make an easier transition into adulthood.
Federal Law Offers Maryland Bonus For Enrolling Children
Maryland can get millions of federal dollars if it uses best practices to enroll children in health insurance and achieves specific enrollment targets, through the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA). Read more >>
Governor Praised for Deamonte Driver Dental Project
Doctor of Dentistry recognized Governor Martin O'Malley for his support of the Deamonte Driver Dental Project, which is improving dental services for children attending 9 schools in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. Read more >>
State Moves Forward With Dental Restructuring
To reduce administrative barriers and recruit more dentists, the State is moving dental services under one administrator. The State issued a multi-year contract in January, and the new structure will be in place by July 1st. Dentists who wish to treat children will no longer have to deal with multiple managed care organizations. This is an important part of the comprehensive effort to improve oral health for Maryland's children. Read more >>
Low-Birthweight Births Cost Maryland Millions: ACY Study
Nine percent of Maryland births are below normal birthweight, but these babies account for over half of spending on births, according to a new analysis by Advocates for Children and Youth. The Baltimore Sun featured the study in an editorial, supporting ACY’s recommendation that women receive continued health services after a difficult pregnancy. One success story is Asia who, after three premature births, received interconception services through Baltimore Healthy Start, and had an uncomplicated fourth pregnancy. For more about the study >>
Two Programs Improve Birth Outcomes Through Prenatal Care
Healthy Start and S.M.I.L.E. improve birth outcomes through better, faster prenatal care. They have identified barriers to pregnant women getting in to see doctors as soon as possible.
Sun Decries Lack of Urgency in Addressing Poor Birth Outcomes
In an editorial, The Baltimore Sun seeks speedier action to address Maryland's dismal birth outcomes, highlighted in an ACY study. The Sun has championed expanding health services to women who previously had difficult pregnancies. These women are most at risk of another pregnancy with a poor birth outcome. This editorial is the fourth in a powerful series: in September; December; and another in December.
Congressman: Use Federal Funds To Expand Dental Access
Marking the second anniversary of the death of Deamonte Driver from an untreated cavity, Congressman Elijah Cummings joined advocates in calling for the Governor and Maryland General Assembly to use some of the federal stimulus funds to raise dental reimbursement rates so that more dentists treat children. Meanwhile, The Baltimore Sun probed dental access two years after the tragic death. For an update on dental access efforts, read more >>
Federal Legislation Will Bring Funds for Health Reforms
Maryland stands to gain hundreds of millions of dollars for health care under a federal stimulus package. The recent reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) will also bring more federal funds and free up some state funds. All of this should boost efforts to provide extra help to women at risk of poor birth outcomes and a second installment of increased reimbursement rates for dentists. Read more >>
Extra Health Care for At Risk Women Pays For Itself
Improving health care for women before and during their pregnancies will improve Maryland’s dismal birth outcomes at no extra cost to the State, according to a new fiscal analysis by Advocates for Children and Youth. The cost of providing continuing health services for at-risk women is offset by the reduced cost of medical services for premature and low birth weight babies. Read more >>
Health Program Confirms Many Eligible Children Not Enrolled
In Howard County, many families interested in a new insurance program were found already eligible for previously existing programs. Read more >>
ACY Helps Honor Governor for Dental Commitment
ACY joined others on November 13th in recognizing Governor Martin O’Malley for one of his signature achievements: improving dental care for Maryland’s children. Read more >>
Maryland Receives an F for Poor Birth Outcomes
On November 12th the March of Dimes released its 2008 Premature Birth Report Card. The nation as a whole received a D; Maryland received an F. Read more >>
Birth Outcomes Initiative: Launch at State Forum
Leaders from across the State gathered at a forum, led by Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary John Colmers, to launch a concentrated effort to address Maryland’s poor and declining birth outcomes. Read more >>
Dental Access for Maryland’s Children Remains Poor
The latest data shows that two thirds of the children in Maryland’s public health insurance program did not receive a dental visit in 2007 and that too few dentists are willing to provide services to these children. This continued pattern confirms the need to fully and rapidly implement the dental reforms endorsed by the Governor and partially funded by the Maryland General Assembly. Read more >>
Sun Editorial Recognizes Need to Address Poor Infant Health
In its lead Sunday editorial, The Baltimore Sun recognized that infant mortality is extremely high in Maryland and even higher among African-American infants, citing ACY statistics. The editorial comments that we "spend a lot of money on expensive neonatal care and other interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of poor birth outcomes." It goes on to support efforts suggested by ACY to address the health of women before and after they become pregnant. For a recent ACY issue brief, read more >>
Rally, Forum to Address Poor Infant Health
A Baltimore City rally will take place September 23rd to raise public awareness about strategies to improve infant health. The State is also sponsoring a forum (by invitation only) on October 21st to identify new strategies to improve birth outcomes and reduce disparities in Maryland. ACY has highlighted poor and worsening infant health in Maryland and will participate in the rally and forum. Read more >>
Continued Decline in Health of Maryland's Infants
In 2007, the health of Maryland’s infants declined once again. The percentage of women receiving early prenatal care dropped below 80 percent. Infant mortality continued to rise, increasing by 10 percent since 2005. Racial disparities grew after shrinking in prior years. African-American infant mortality is currently three times the rate for whites. Read more >>
Initial Dental Reforms Take Effect
The first major steps went into effect July as part of a three-year comprehensive effort to increase dental access for Maryland’s children. Read more >>
Maryland’s Poor Birth Outcomes Draw National Attention
CNN shined the spotlight on Maryland’s low national rank on birth outcomes and the significant drop in the percentage of the State’s pregnant women who receive early prenatal care. John Colmers, Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Health and Human Resources, said that addressing poor birth outcomes is a top priority. A key strategy will be improving services to at-risk women, both during their pregnancies and before conception. Read more >>
Public Praise for Dental Efforts
ACY and other advocates gathered last week to celebrate recent victories in increasing dental access for Maryland’s children and to thank state leaders (see picture). Meanwhile, efforts to improve dental access in Baltimore City received much deserved media attention.
Governor Receives National Praise for Dental Reform
In a Sunday Washington Post editorial, Governor O’Malley and the Maryland General Assembly received well deserved national praise for implementing comprehensive reforms to increase dental access for Maryland’s children. Read more >>
Proposed Federal Cuts Threaten Already Poor Infant Health
Proposed changes to federal Medicaid rules threaten funding for the Healthy Start program that serves 25,000 pregnant women in Maryland. This would worsen infant health in the State, already among the worst in the nation.
State of Maryland's Kids: Health
Faced with the national embarrassment of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver dying from an untreated cavity, the Governor and his Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary John Colmers, with the strong support of legislators like Senator Mac Middleton and Delegate Veronica Turner, are implementing a comprehensive plan to improve oral health. Read more >>
VICTORY!! Dental Reform Moves Forward: Session Wrap Up
To attract more dentists to serve children, the Maryland General Assembly increased reimbursement rates, as proposed by the Governor. Led by Senator Mac Middleton and Delegate Veronica Turner, legislators also allowed dental hygienists to provide more preventive services. Comprehensive dental reform is moving forward, marking the second major victory of the Maryland Can Do Better for Children campaign. Legislators also passed legislation to reach out to parents of children who are eligible for but not enrolled in public health insurance, and they moved forward with an expansion of health insurance for parents. Read more >>
Infant Health Declines
The recent drop in infant health points to the urgency of efforts to improve health access for Maryland’s children and pregnant. Read more >>
Action Needed! Kids First Act
Immediate action is needed on the Kids First Act -- HB 1391. This bill will improve access to dental and other preventive services by asking the State Comptroller to identify uninsured children. It has received national attention. The bill passed the House, and the Senate will vote this week. Act now >>
Progress on Dental Reform
Both the House and the Senate have passed legislation to increase the ability of dental hygienists to provide services. The House and Senate have also agreed to retain rate increases for dentists. Read more >>
School Survey Confirms Oral Health Crisis
A new study shows that one third of kindergarten and third graders in Maryland have untreated dental disease. “This report is another stark reminder that access to dental care for Maryland’s children must be improved,” said John M. Colmers, Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene. Read more >>
Middleton, Turner Sponsor Dental Hygienist Legislation
Senator Mac Middleton and Delegate Veronica Turner are lead sponsors of legislation in the Senate and House, respectively, to allow dental hygienists to provide additional preventive services. This is part of the recommendations of the Dental Action Committee. Read more >>
Dental Action Day: Thank You!
Thank you for a tremendous rally in support of recommendations to improve dental care for Maryland's children. Deamonte Driver died one year ago because of an untreated cavity. Maryland is receiving positive national attention for its efforts to address the crisis in oral health. Read more >>
Governor, Secretary Plan Major Dental Actions
The Governor's FY 2009 budget includes the first of three critical installments needed to improve dental access for children, based on an initial analysis of the overall budget by Advocates for Children and Youth. Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary John Colmers also agreed to move forward with all seven of the recommendations of the Dental Action Committee, including expanding the ability of dental hygienists to offer preventive services, having one administrator handle dental reimbursements and incorporating dental into school screenings. Read more >>
Video On the Deamonte Tragedy and Maryland's Dental Crisis
A new video documents the tragic death of Deamonte Driver because of lack of dental care and the broader dental crisis in Maryland.
Comptroller Plans Statewide Effort to Reach Unenrolled
Building upon a concept first developed for Howard County, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot is planning to write families statewide to tell them they are financially eligible to enroll their children for health insurance. About 100,000 children are eligible but enrolled. Read more >>
Prince George’s County Health Department Opens Dental Clinic
With many children still unable to get dental services through their health insurance, Prince George’s County Health Commissioner Dr. Donald Shell has taken an important step to address the problem by opening a new clinic. Read more >>
Maryland's Low-Income Kids Among Nation's Least Healthy
On measures of the health of low-income children, Maryland ranks 47th in the country, according to a new Kids Count analysis. Read more >>
Howard County Reaches Out to Eligible Uninsured
Two important efforts are underway in Howard County to ensure that all children who are eligible for health insurance are enrolled. Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot is sending out letters to all county residents who, based on their income, are eligible to enroll their children in public health insurance. Read more >>
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