[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            WIC SAVES MONEY

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                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 1997

  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, the Supplemental Program for Women, Infants 
and Children is one of the most cost-effective investments we make. It 
is exactly what is needed from to serve human needs and to be fiscally 
responsible.
  WIC prevents problems from occurring in the future. We now know that 
early childhood cognitive development is crucial for that child's long-
term growth and ability to learn.
  Every dollar spent on WIC saves $3 in health care costs. Further, WIC 
is not a feeding program, it is a health program. It ensures that 
pregnant mothers will receive some attention to their health.
  The reduction in WIC in this supplemental appropriation means that, 
for the first time, we will be dropping participants from the rolls 
rather than adding them. We must care about kids not only from 
conception to birth but as they grow and develop as well. Adequate 
funding of WIC is an excellent way to start.

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