9/7/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SEP 7 1983 INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HEALTH DEPT 2525 14th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Funding a Maternal Health Care Program in Indian River County Maternal Health Programs were first established in local and state health departments in the early 1900's. Their goal has been the health and well=being of mothers and newborn children through proper preventive care during pregnancy. Because of these programs maternal and infant mortality rates have declined; these programs have become an essential component of Public Health Services. The Indian River County Health Unit does not have a Maternal Health Program, nor has it been funded for such a program. Until the fall of 1982 a program had been operating intermittently with volunteer contributions. The potential conse- quences of no'prenatal care are medical complications to the mother, low -birth weight infants who have chronic respiratory illness or neurological deficits, and even death. Preventive services like maternal care can avert suffering and costly high-technology medical -care and institutionalization. z l0'. Lookabaugh, M.D., M.P.H. 9/6/83 Dr. Lookabaugh noted that what has happened is that the voluntary program fell apart last fall with the result that there have been stillborns and children with prenatal defects. Dr. Lookabaugh did not feel the County can allow that kind of health care to continue and noted that when she accepted the position of Health Director for the county, she did not realize there was no maternal health care program. She then reviewed a grant for which she had applied and stated that she would like the County to put up $30,000 in matching funds. Dr. Lookabaugh emphasized that she could not run the program on $30,000 alone. The Board had various questions about the grant funds and what they would cover. Commissioner Wodtke inquiredabout the $50,000 for the physician for delivery. Dr. Lookabaugh explained that figure represents about half of the private fees physicians are getting now. The doctors were offering this service on a voluntary basis for years, but because their malpractice insurance has risen so tremendously; and this is a high risk situation, they do not want to continue; they feel it is a community responsibility. 95