Press Release
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOLLING AND SECRETARY TAVENNER HIGHLIGHT WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH INITIATIVES
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
-Bolling and Tavenner support childhood obesity study, funding for cervical cancer
vaccinations and expanded access to prenatal care-
RICHMOND - Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn Tavenner today highlighted several initiatives to address childhood obesity, provide cervical cancer vaccinations for women who could not otherwise afford them, and expand access to prenatal care for pregnant women.
Lieutenant Governor Bolling and Secretary Tavenner were joined by Del. John O''Bannon (R-Henrico) and representatives from the Virginia Association of Health Plans, Virginia Coalition for Children''s Health, School Nutrition Association of Virginia, March of Dimes, Virginia Primary Care Association and CHIPS of Virginia in support these women''s and children''s health care initiatives.
"During the past year I have launched two major health care programs, the Steptember weight loss initiative and the Ending Cervical Cancer In Our Lifetime campaign," said Lieutenant Governor Bolling. "These programs have led directly to legislative efforts to address childhood obesity and school nutrition, and help prevent cervical cancer. I am proud to join Secretary Tavenner in support of these important women''s and children''s health initiatives."
"One of the most effective ways to prevent infant mortality is to provide adequate and accessible prenatal care for all pregnant women, regardless of income," said Secretary Marilyn Tavenner. "The Governor has proposed to increase Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women to 200% of the poverty level. This will give 900 more women a year access to prenatal care, preventing costly premature births, developmental delays, and birth defects."
Lieutenant Governor Bolling joined Secretary Tavenner in supporting of the following women''s and children''s health care legislation.
* Childhood Obesity - School Nutrition Study - HJ637 (O''Bannon) - This legislation will create a Joint Study Commission within the Virginia General Assembly to examine nutrition, activity and education programs in our public schools and make recommendations on how these programs can be expanded.
* Funding for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccinations. - Governor''s Budget Amendment - Adds $1.4 million GF to supply local health departments with the HPV vaccine for girls who are ineligible for the federally-funded Vaccines for Children Program and who are not expected to receive the vaccine from private health insurance.
* Expand Access to Prenatal Care for Pregnant Women (FAMIS Moms) - Governor''s Budget Amendment - Adds $2.6 million GF and $4.8 million NGF from federal matching funds to increase eligibility for the FAMIS Moms program from 166 to 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. This expansion is expected to increase access to prenatal care for 900 women each year, improve birth outcomes, and reduce uncompensated care at hospitals.
"Virginia''s infant mortality rates are too high. I would like to thank Governor Kaine for bringing this issue to the forefront and I am pleased to support his efforts to increase access to prenatal care for women," said Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. "Expanded prenatal care will produce more healthy babies and reduce the number of unhealthy infants in our health care and Medicaid systems."
"There is nothing more important to the future of Virginia than maintaining a healthy lifestyle for our children," said Del. John O''Bannon. "This study committee will help develop a comprehensive strategy for childhood wellness and school nutrition and I am pleased to work with Lieutenant Governor Bolling on this initiative."
Lieutenant Governor Bolling currently serves as a member of Governor Kaine''s Health Care Reform Commission. Before being elected Lieutenant Governor in 2005, Bolling was as a member of the State Senate, where he served as Chairman of the Joint Commission on Health Care and the Senate''s Subcommittee on Health Care. He also was the chief sponsor of legislation that created a children''s health insurance program in Virginia. This program now provides basic health care coverage to over 132,000 children.
If you have any questions please contact Randy Marcus 804-786-2078, 804-814-7117 (cell) or randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov.
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For additional information contact Randy Marcus at 804-814-7117 (cell) or randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov.
