Extreme budget plan fails, but remains dangerous
House Budget Chair Paul Ryan’s budget plan, which included extreme cuts to child serving programs like Medicaid and food stamps, failed in the Senate. But the proposal remains the opening bid in a budget battle that so far has produced no consensus in Washington.
Voices for America’s Children launched a campaign to show the true nature of these devastating cuts. For example, the House-passed budget plan would make enormous cuts to Medicaid, even though that program helps more than 28 million children get health care. See just how Ryan’s plan would hurt children’s health and send an online letter to your member of Congress on our America’s Kids, America’s Future page!
Up to 475,000 low-income women and children could lose food assistance in new budget cuts
Food assistance could be cut off for 325,000 to 475,000 low-income women and young children, according to a new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The program, commonly known as WIC (for Women, Infants and Children), has traditionally served all who apply, but has now been targeted for budget cuts.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of participating in WIC for mothers and children. For example, pregnant women who participate in WIC have longer pregnancies leading to fewer premature births; experience fewer low and very low birth-weight babies; and consume more of such key nutrients as iron, protein, calcium, and Vitamins A and C. Infants receiving WIC are less likely to be underweight and are in better health than eligible infants not participating in WIC.
Nearly 9 million women and children depend on the WIC program for healthy food and other services. The program has been vital to supporting the health and well-being of many of our most vulnerable populations. Now is a great time to call them and voice your opposition to food assistance cuts for needy children and mothers.
Voices for America's Children
www.voices.org
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