ANALYSIS OF HOUSE BILL 1988

         Expanding maternity care for at-risk mothers.

Health Care Committee                           January 19,2000

Washington State House of Representatives

SPONSORS:  Representatives Kagi and Ballasiotes.

BACKGROUND:  Maternity care services are currently available for low-income mothers to provide healthy birth outcomes for the mother and child.  Some at-risk mothers and children are also eligible to receive support services that provide public health nursing assessment and follow-up, assessment, counseling, and alcohol and drug treatment.  Maternity care services and support services end six weeks after the birth of the child.

SUMMARY:  Extended maternity care services will be made available to at-risk mothers and their children for up to three years from the birth of the child.  The Department of Social and Health Services  will phase in coverage of at-risk mothers and their children.  A maternity care endowment fund is established to receive private donations and funds to support extended maternity care services.  A business and occupation tax credit is established for donations made to the maternity care endowment fund.