Maternal and Child Health
Since many health problems begin in infancy and childhood, screening and intervention programs for children, youth, mothers and pregnant women can have positive effects throughout the lifespan. Maternal and child health programs are affected by a number of laws and policies including those governing data privacy, required care and reimbursement.

Resources

Black Maternal Health in Maryland

Direct Entry Midwives Across the Nation

Medication Abortion: A Primer

First Amendment Implications: Reproductive Rights

State-Based Abortion Protections

Abortion Access: A Post-Roe Public Health Emergency

WIC: Lessons Learned from COVID-19

Law and Policy Pathways to Equity in Birth Outcomes

Lead Safe Housing Rule: Overview and Opportunities for Public Health Advocates

Improving Childhood Lead Screening Rates in Illinois and Ohio

Policy Surveillance: Preschool Social and Emotional Learning

Maternal Mortality Review Committees
Spotlight

We Need to Talk About Maternal Mortality and Gun Violence

With the Passage of Its Compliance Date, the HIPAA Final Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy Faces Challenges in the Courts

Food Insecurity and Pregnancy: Addressing Inequities through “Food is Medicine” Initiatives
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A Closer Look at Maternal and Child Health
Screening and intervention programs for children, youth, mothers and pregnant women can have positive effects throughout the lifespan. The Network can assist with a range of legal and policy issues that impact:
- Screening services, including newborn screening, immunizations and medical, vision, hearing and dental screening for children and youth.
- Early intervention services for young children.
- Nutrition, including breastfeeding, WIC and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Child safety, including injury prevention, child abuse reporting and anti-bullying.
- Funding for maternal and child health services, including Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT), Title V and Affordable Care Act provisions.
- Delivery systems and linkages, including managed care entities, Accountable Care Organizations, school-based services and health departments.
- Data retention/use/sharing and confidentiality, including newborn screening, minor consent and sharing between agencies and providers.
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Legal Assistance Library
Explore the Network’s Legal Assistance Library to find answers to commonly asked questions on a variety of public health topics.