Voice for Kids Blog
Fiscal cliff fast approaching: Potential impacts on Medicaid, CHGME
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- Published on Tuesday, 11 December 2012 16:16
The so-called “fiscal cliff” deadline is fast approaching and you’re likely seeing a lot of news coverage on whether President Obama and Congressional leaders can reach a debt reduction deal. The “fiscal cliff” is a term used to describe the date when several tax cuts are set to expire and across-the-board federal spending cuts will be enacted.
But most media coverage hasn’t addressed if and how Medicaid might be impacted if a deal is reached. Children’s policy experts are looking at where the Medicaid program stands now and some additional areas of concern in negotiating a budget deal.
Minnesota’s budget forecast: deficit, uncertainty, potential cuts
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- Published on Friday, 07 December 2012 08:37
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota State
Legislature website.
On Wednesday the Minnesota Management and Budget office released an updated budget forecast for the 2012-2013 and 2014-2015 budget cycles. The forecast sets the stage for the budget discussions that will happen in 2013 at the state capitol. In each odd-numbered year, a budget is set for the upcoming biennium (in this case, 2014-2015).
What did we learn?
The budget forecast news was a mixed bag and reveals the uncertainty that surrounds the budgeting process. The current projections show a $1.1 billion deficit for the upcoming budget cycle. State law dictates that the budget must be balanced, so we know that budget talks in 2013 will have to include difficult decisions about how to eliminate the pending deficit.
Giving thanks: dedicated care providers and health coverage for kids
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- Published on Tuesday, 20 November 2012 13:00
This is the time of year when we focus on gratitude. Family, warmer-than-usual fall weather, or the chance to enjoy a hearty meal with loved ones may all be on your list. Our team at Children’s has much to be thankful for as we look at pediatric health care in our state.
Pediatric emergency training hits the road
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- Published on Friday, 30 November 2012 16:13
As a nonprofit hospital, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota provides community benefit services each year to meet some of the most pressing health concerns in our community. One of the services we are uniquely positioned to offer as a regional destination for treating complex pediatric health needs is training to assist medical professionals in dealing with pediatric emergencies. Like all other aspects of pediatric health care, emergency care for babies and children requires specialized approaches.
World Prematurity Day: A healthy baby is worth the wait
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- Published on Saturday, 17 November 2012 09:00
Today is World Prematurity Day, and dozens of organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, March of Dimes, and the World Health Organization are coming together to raise awareness about premature births and the devastating impact they can have on families.
Every year in the United States, nearly half a million babies are born prematurely, and in Minnesota we see many of them in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). When a family has a child in the NICU it can be one of the most stressful and scary times of their lives. The Windschitl family was able to take home their two daughters after 99 days in the NICU this past week. They shared their story of what it was like to have two children born at just 27 weeks.
