Nebraska

Prenatal care and coaching lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Until Obamacare really kicks in, most moms in poverty are going to have their babies in a scenario involving Medicaid or some similar state assistance. It benefits Mom, baby, and taxpayers if:

1) Mom stops smoking and/or using drugs or alcohol
2) Mom is given prenatal vitamins (the need for prenatal folic acid cannot be stressed enough)
3) Mom's blood iron & sugar (finger prick blood test) and basic vitals (BP being very important) are checked
4) Mom is encouraged to exercise
5) Mom is coached on the benefits to herself, her baby, and her pocketbook if she breast feeds.

You are correct to the extent that a Mom in poverty probably doesn't have the same access to resources that a Mom with good quality medical insurance has. Mom with medical insurance will get these prescriptions and coaching from her OB/GYN.

I've seen these programs. They are generally run from community centers in conjunction with the local branch of Community Action. Ideally, Mom gets these services at the same place that she can apply for and receive vouchers for WIC. Generally, it involves no more cost to the state than contracting 2-3 RNs per location, and payment for some pretty basic medical supplies and vitamins. The payback can be tremendous, because a "bad baby" scenario is both tragic and costly.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I know why State Senator Charlie Janssen wants this repealed. He wants to punish immigrants. Fremont, NE has become very hostile to illegal immigrants -- so much so that they've made it illegal for them to rent within city limits. What upsets me most here is the hypocrisy of the state GOP, which OOH tells us that every unborn life is precious and that we shouldn't allow abortion, but OTOH apparently doesn't feel that the unborn of the poor/illegal are precious enough really simple and basic prenatal care.