Overall Policy Objectives for 2011
1. Work to assure adequate access to and reimbursement for services across all aspects of maternal and child health care including pre-pregnancy health2. Promote community involvement in and management of child health and safety issues
3. Advocate for health literacy and skills, health education, and healthy environments with a focus on prevention for the life spectrum from pre-conception care to healthy adulthood
a. Use data on health consequences and long-term cost to demonstrate return on investment and cost effectiveness of prevention
4. Collaborate with other stakeholders including state government to develop health care systems in Michigan that value maternal and child health
5. Develop common understanding and expectations of family/patient-centered medical home model and reimbursement
Maternal and Infant Health Care
Goal: Promote investment in a community-based continuum of care focusing on outreach and prevention programs that provide resources and support for pre-pregnancy family planning and pre-natal care. Advocate for programs that improve birth outcomes, promote healthy families, and support child development.
Specific policies MCMCH members support:
1. Seek enhanced recognition of and support for infant mental health specialists as part of a multidisciplinary medical team
2. Monitor and facilitate implementation of Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) within MDCH to maximize desired outcomes
3. Promote value of home visitation programs
4. Direct resources and programs to communities with highest infant mortality rates and hold those communities accountable to achieve goals
5. Work to assure access across the state to medically appropriate levels of prenatal, obstetrical and perinatal care with the goal of creating/reestablishing a true regionalized system
Child/Adolescent Health
Goal: Build a family and person-centered continuum of care and multi-disciplinary approach for children and young adults to assess all facets of their health, learn to prevent health risks, and develop the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy decisions for lifelong health habits and optimal development.
Specific policies MCMCH members support:
1. Promote child and adolescent mental health
2. Implement coordinated school health program model including evidence-based, factual, quality health education and physical education programs;
3. Provide access to and reimbursement for primary care for all school-aged children through school-based and school-linked health centers and school nurses with adequate and sustainable funding;
4. Support the need for and funding of special health care services for children
Action Agenda for 2011
These specific items correlate to our policy agenda and are likely to see action in 2011. We will dedicate the bulk of our resources and efforts to supporting these issues:1. Stop erosion of Medicaid rates for all services, focus on obstetrical and primary care services
2. Target resources and seek outcome-based reimbursement for the Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP)
3. Support re-establishment of perinatal regionalization
4. Advocate for health education and physical education for school children
5. Seek consistent reimbursement for child development screenings
6. Promote health and fiscal benefits of quality medical homes
7. Monitor system of home visit programs
8. Work with oral health partners to promote access to preventive care
9. Support examination of state tax system to assure state resources support most desirable outcomes
10. Preserve special health care services for children
11. Mental health parity