skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. strikes did not destroy Iran nuclear program, says Pentagon assessment; Dems join GOP to kill vote impeaching Trump over Iran strikes; Health gaps persist for American Indian, Alaska Native Coloradans; Alternative payment models better for WA patients, providers; New CT law ends election agency's independence.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Some members of Congress are upset about lack of transparency on Iran policy, but House Speaker questions constitutionality of War Powers Resolution, and Fed Chair explains why interest rates aren't being cut.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Giant data centers powering artificial intelligence want cheap rural land but some communities are pushing back, Hurricane Helene mobilized a North Carolina town in unexpected ways, and Cherokee potters make ceramics that honor multiple generations.

Access to Health Care: The Best Gift for Mom?

play audio
Play

Friday, May 8, 2015   

COLUMBUS, Ohio - As Ohioans celebrate their mothers this weekend, state lawmakers are considering cuts that could affect the health of soon-to-be moms and their babies. The proposed two-year budget narrows Medicaid eligibility for pregnancy.

Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long said the cuts are of concern, given that Ohio has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. She said prenatal care reduces premature birth, the leading cause of infant mortality.

"These are months that are critical to the woman having a great start to her pregnancy, to be sure that every health issue is addressed during the pregnancy," she said. "Women who do not have adequate coverage have poorer birth outcomes."

Lawmakers are suggesting reducing eligibility from 200 percent of poverty to 138 percent, with the notion that women can seek coverage in the health insurance exchange. However, open enrollment is once a year and some women could go without coverage during pregnancy.

Long said late prenatal care, maternal stress and low-income status are among factors associated with pre-term birth.

Judith Warren, director of Health Care Access Now in Cincinnati, said women living in poverty do not have a lot of disposable income, so without Medicaid they may be unable to seek care.

"To have the burden of expecting to pay out of pocket for premiums and other health care needs will just put them in more of a fragile economic position." she said.

The proposed budget also reduces Medicaid eligibility for family planning, which Long said impacts a woman's health before and after pregnancy.

"It's critical that women have access to be able to safely space their births," she said, "so family-planning services as well as other kinds of preventive health and health promotion care for women is critical."

Medicaid supports more than 40 percent of births nationally, and research finds that Medicaid can reduce infant mortality for high-risk women.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Arkansas' ballot initiative process allows citizens to propose statutes or constitutional amendments and collect signatures to place the proposals on a ballot. League members say bills passed by lawmakers have taken those rights away. (edbockstock/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Members of the League of Women Voters-Arkansas are collecting signatures to add a constitutional amendment to the November 2026 ballot. The …


Social Issues

play sound

Ohio union and clean energy leaders are urging their U.S. Senators to reject a sweeping reconciliation bill they said would devastate families and …

Social Issues

play sound

American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Colorado continue to face significant gaps in health care access, quality and outcomes, according to …


Environment

play sound

Minnesotans are cooling off after last weekend's extreme heat but communities bearing the brunt of environmental injustice said there will be more cli…

The cost of care for dementia patients varies widely by state. At $55,000 per year, care for patients in California is slightly more expensive than the national average.(Ocskay Bence/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

In California, families shoulder most of the burden of dementia care, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Washington found …

Social Issues

play sound

Ho-Chunk has kicked off its summer internship program in Nebraska after sifting through 600 applicants. It is opening pathways to higher education …

Social Issues

play sound

Six Michigan projects have been awarded funding through AARP's largest-ever Community Challenge grant, aimed at making communities more livable…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021