[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5563-S5564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CHILDREN'S HEALTH: WHAT WORKS?

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, as part of my ongoing commitment to 
children, I have come to the floor today to draw attention to my 
efforts to improve the health of American children and young people.
  It is clear that many people work hard every day for the well-being 
of children in this country. However, we all can do--and need to do--so 
much more. Children's health in my home State of Washington is better 
overall, including lower infant mortality and better prenatal care. 
However, immunization rates and child nutrition need improvement.
  Across our Nation, over 10 million children are uninsured. One in 
four children are covered by Medicaid--more than half in working 
families. And, nearly 200,000 babies were born in 1993 who had no 
prenatal care, or none until the last 3 months of pregnancy, despite 
the fact that we know that averting one low birth-weight baby can 
prevent as much as $37,000 in initial hospital and doctor fees.
  Internationally, among industrialized countries, America ranks 16th 
in the living standards of our poorest children, 18th in the gap 
between rich and poor children, and 18th in infant mortality.
  Certainly, we all can do better for our children's well-being. We 
know it, and the American people know it.
  When I hear from people in Washington State on the topic of 
children's health, I hear common themes. People from Vancouver to 
Yakima to Spokane to Tacoma worry about kids not having access to basic 
health care. They talk about children going to emergency rooms with 
preventable illnesses and injuries. Parents talk about feeling like 
they need more and better information to make decisions affecting their 
child's health.
  In response to those concerns, you will continue to see me working in 
three different areas to improve and protect children's health and 
well-being:
  First, keep effective national standards for health care in place for 
all children, including those with special needs.
  Second, make prevention the centerpiece of our national children's 
health policy.
  Third, increase access to information for families to make the best 
decisions possible for their children.
  There are several ways to do more for children, and not all of them 
are difficult. One way to help kids is simply to draw attention to the 
people, programs, and services that are working and doing a good job 
for children today.
  In my home State of Washington, for example, we are helping children 
to be more healthy in a variety of ways.
  In Ellensburg and in Coupeville, through a program now running in 
four counties that I hope one day goes statewide, parents of young 
children get two important services that help them make the best 
decisions for their children.
  First, any parent of a child between birth and age 6 gets special 
mailings and health information sent to their home, including 
information on well-baby checkups, immunizations, safety, and normal 
patterns of growth and development. All at no cost to the parents, and 
all for a total cost of about $10 per child.
  Second, parents get reminders and assistance to get the many 
immunizations their child will need. We know children should be 
protected from a host of childhood illnesses, from diphtheria and 
tetanus, and from polio to measles, mumps, and rubella. We also know 
people are busy, and need reminders, access to affordable vaccines, and 
lots of information. This program is a good start.
  There is also a dental health promotion effort underway in my State. 
In the past, many dentists' advice to parents has been to bring 
children in for their first visit about the time they start school, at 
age 4 or 5. The problem is that many children show up to their first 
dental visit with decay, gum problems--in many cases so serious that 
they require dental surgery--because of preventable causes.
  The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry [ABDC] program in Spokane, WA, 
reaches out to families with young children and encourages early dental 
visits. ABDC dentists remind them to do things like remove baby bottles 
at the proper age, and not give babies soft drinks or candy bars. In 
addition, dentists, apply fluoride varnishes and other treatments to 
baby teeth, and do other clinical procedures to decrease a baby's 
chances of developing dental problems.
  These measum save all of us money in the long run.
  Sometimes bringing awareness to a problem is not enough. I mentioned 
that we need to preserve national standards for children's health. This 
must happen at the national level.
  This Friday, tomorrow, the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission 
and Prevention magazine will release Prevention's 1996 report on auto 
safety in America. I hope we all pay attention to their findings. Last 
year, the report included information on child safety helmets. This 
year, their report will focus on the things we can do to make 
automobile travel safer.
  Effective national standards for children's health do not have to be 
some scientific formula. Sometimes it's as easy as retaining a Federal 
speed limit, or Federal safety regulations. We know that the 55-mile-
per-hour speed limit has saved countless children's lives. We know that 
the automobile industry has made great strides to improve automobile 
safety. We know air bags improve safety, and that cellular telephone 
use probably decreases it.
  When it comes to the basic safety of our children, it should not 
depend on which line on a map they just crossed on their family 
vacation.
  As a final note, I want to remind you all that on June 1, the 
Children's Defense Fund will host Stand for Children, an event in 
Washington, DC, that will bring Americans together, to show their 
shared commitment to children. We spend so much time talking about our 
differences of opinion. We need to respect our opposing view, but get 
beyond them to common ground and common sense action for children.
  I encourage all Americans who can attend this event to do so. It will 
be a

[[Page S5564]]

day to rally around our children, and show them how important they are 
to us all. This will be a day of fun family activies, and togetherness, 
and of the power of individual action.
  I have heard from many people around the country who cannot attend 
the event. I encourage you to support those at the Lincoln Memorial in 
your thoughts and prayers, I encourage every American to do at least 
one thing to make a difference in the life of a child, and June 1 would 
be a great place to start. If anyone wants more information on the 
Stand for Children event they can call 1-800-233-1200.
  Anyone who is listening can make it easier for one child to get 
appropriate health care. Offer to provide child care or a ride to the 
clinic, so someone's child can go to a medical check-up or get 
immunized.
  We all can help prevent health problems to avoid bigger costs later 
on. Anyone listing can volunteer to distribute information on health 
screenings, immunizations, or blood drives. Lead a safety committees or 
fitness day at the local park, school, or community center. Help to 
find or build affordable housing in your area.
  You can stay educated and prepared about children's health. Read 
about childhood illnesses. Make a personal medical history for each 
member of your family, so you can be ready in the case of illness or 
trauma.
  Nothing is more vital to a child than her basic health. A child must 
be healthy to learn well. She must be educated to participate and 
contribute to our society. But we must start with making sure we do 
everything we can for her basic well-being.
  You will see me doing my best for the health of our children. Please 
join me in this critical effort.

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