Fact Sheet VI
Caring for Our Children
"There are certain fundamental national needs that should be addressed in every state, north and south, east and west -- school lunches in all our schools, nutrition for pregnant women and infants...All these things are in the national interest." President Clinton, 1995 State of the UnionMore than 5 million children are hungry each month in the U.S.Committed to Protecting Medicaid -- The Health Safety Net for Our Children
President Clinton is fighting to maintain the health care protection that Medicaid provides. Medicaid is the social safety net that makes health care possible for millions of our nation's children, children who are disabled or who suffer from chronic illness. Republicans are proposing to cut $165 billion in Medicaid benefits to millions of low-income mothers and children and elderly and disabled Americans. The President is working to ensure that Medicaid is there to provide vital health care for those who cannot afford it.Developed the Childhood Immunization Plan
President Clinton signed the Comprehensive Childhood Immunization Initiative so that children will be vaccinated against disease. The initiative makes vaccines affordable for families and improves immunization outreach. The goal is simple: 90 percent of all two year olds should be fully vaccinated by the year 2000.Expanded Nutrition Services for Women, Infants and Children
The Clinton Administration has increased funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) each year since fiscal year 1993 by a total of 18 percent. The Administration has also aggressively pursued cost containment initiatives such as infant formula rebates that have provided additional funds to handle more eligible participants. WIC Works: Every $1 invested in WIC saves up to $4.25 in health care costs.Launched Strategies to Fight Teen Pregnancy
Under President Clinton's leadership, the Administration is developing new strategies to address the high rate of teen pregnancy in this country. The efforts are designed to encourage communities to build partnerships and to discover what strategies work. The Administration has supported new and innovative demonstration programs and expanded existing programs in communities all across the U.S.Implementing the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children
The Clinton Administration's School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children, an integrated comprehensive plan, improves the nutrition standards for school meals by requiring that they meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This initiative also provides administrative streamlining and offers schools the implementation flexibility that best suits their program.Protecting Women's Health by Preventing Teen Smoking
Smoking rates are alarmingly high for teenage girls. Tobacco raises a woman's risk of having cancer, heart disease, low birth weight babies, lung disease, and osteoporosis. Almost all smoking begins during the teen years, and preventing addiction during this period almost guarantees women will not smoke as adults. The Administration has launched a major, multi-pronged campaign to prevent teenagers from smoking and then becoming addicted to nicotine.
Office of Women's Initiatives and Outreach. Phone: 202 456-7300; Fax: 202 456-7311
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