[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H2640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REASONS TO CELEBRATE WIC'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say a few words today about 
the WIC program, a program dedicated to improving the nutrition and 
health care needs of low-income women, infants and children.
  WIC is celebrating 25 years of service, Mr. Speaker. The value of 
these 25 years is illustrated by a few key facts expressed in terms of 
dollars.
  Every dollar spent on pregnant women in WIC produces between $1.92 
and $4.21 in Medicaid savings for newborns and their mothers. Medicaid 
costs were reduced on average by $12,000 to $15,000 per infant for 
every low-birth-weight birth prevented because the mother was involved 
in the WIC program during her pregnancy.
  There is a lot more, Mr. Speaker, in terms of dollars saved and 
common sense, but there is a more important savings, a human savings. 
WIC children get a better start in life, they do better in school, and 
they lead healthier lives. All this translates into an overall better 
quality of life, and that is the real reason for celebrating WIC's 25th 
anniversary.

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