[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[July 1, 1992]
[Page 1056]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Maryland Welfare Reform

July 1, 1992
    I am pleased that my administration has approved Maryland's request 
for welfare waivers. This will allow Maryland to put in place a new 
system of incentives for welfare recipients to make sure their children 
receive necessary health care and attend school.
    Pregnant women receiving welfare would be required to obtain regular 
prenatal care or not receive a special additional allowance. Families 
with young children receiving welfare would be required to obtain 
preventive health care for their children. This prenatal and preventive 
health care is available without cost to these families through the 
Medicaid program.
    Maryland's reforms also create incentives for parents to make sure 
their children attend school. Welfare parents who behave responsibly and 
fulfill these requirements would receive higher payments than those who 
fail to see to the health care and education of their children.
    While some are talking about welfare reform, we are helping to make 
it happen. Reform is taking place from the bottom up, with the States 
constructively serving as laboratories of democracy. My administration 
will continue to work with Maryland and other States in reforming our 
welfare 
system.