Analysis: Teen Childbearing in State Costs $308 Million Annually 

Teen childbearing in Michigan cost taxpayers at least $308 million in 2008, according to an updated analysis from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Of these costs, 44% were federal costs and 56% were state and local costs. For the nation overall, teen childbearing costs
taxpayers $10.9 billion.

Most of the public sector costs of teen childbearing are associated with negative consequences for the children of teen mothers, during both their childhood and their young adult years. Annual taxpayer costs associated with children born to teen mothers include public health care (Medicaid and CHIP), child welfare, and, among those children who have reached adolescence and young adulthood, increased rates of incarceration, and lost tax revenue due to decreased earnings and spending.

Between 1991 and 2008 there have been 267,366 teen births in Michigan, costing taxpayers a total of $7.6 billion. These public sector costs would have been higher had it not been for the substantial declines in teen childbearing over that same period. Michigan has seen a 44% decline in the teen birth rate between 1991 and 2008. The impressive strides made in reducing teen childbearing in Michigan saved taxpayers an estimated $338 million in 2008 alone, compared to what they would have paid if rates had not fallen.

The new state data is an update of 2004 research conducted by Saul Hoffman, Ph.D. of the University of Delaware and released by The National Campaign. The new analysis provides a conservative estimate of the costs of teen childbearing and is based on the increased risk of adverse consequences faced by teen mothers, fathers, and their children as compared to mothers having children in their early twenties, controlling for many other factors.

"Reducing teen pregnancy not only improves the well-being of children, youth, and families, it saves taxpayer dollars," said Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. "At a time when policymakers and others are intensely focused on cost-saving measures, funding proven efforts to reduce teen pregnancy is important, timely, and should be a high priority."

Visit thenationalcampaign.org  for more information. Founded in 1996, The National Campaign is a private, nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families by reducing teen and unplanned pregnancy.

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has posted an RFP for federal Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) dollars to fund evidence-based comprehensive pregnancy prevention programs across Michigan for youth ages 12-19 through the Taking Pride in Prevention (TPIP) program. Visit michigan.gov/teenpregnancy to learn more.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Study Examines Treatment of Children on Medicare 

Associated Press

Children on public insurance are being denied treatment by doctors at much higher rates than those with private coverage, according to an undercover study that had researchers pose as parents of sick kids seeking an appointment with a specialist. The study was published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study was done in Cook County, Ill., the nation's second-most populous county which includes Chicago, but the researchers and others say the results likely reflect practices around the country. Read the full article here.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Brief Examines Children Facing Complex Coverage Situations

Addressing Coverage Challenges for Children Under the Affordable Care Act estimates the number of children in several coverage and family scenarios to draw attention to those who might require special attention as Affordable Care Act (ACA) regulations are developed and the law is implemented.

The brief, published by the Urban Institute, is based primarily on data from the 2010 Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey. The authors begin with a summary of the ACA's coverage components (Medicaid expansion; health insurance exchanges, market reforms, and federal subsidies; as well as individual requirements to obtain coverage) and their implications for children. The analysis provides estimates of the number of children in several scenarios and identifies groups of children that warrant special consideration as regulations are developed and implementation of the ACA continues.

Topics include dependent employer-sponsored insurance coverage issues, family eligibility issues in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, and children with absent parents. The brief is available here.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Women's Caring Program Hosts Annual Twilight Gatherings 

The Women's Caring Program is a Michigan non-profit foundation incorporated in 1995 that provides financial support to children from low-income working families for quality childcare and early childhood education. ChildCare Commitment, WCP's signature program, helps Michigan's disadvantaged children get on a solid path, succeed in school, in life and later, at work. ChildCare Commitment helps families by allowing them to provide quality childcare and early education for their children.

The group's annual garden party Twilight Gatherings raise funds for ChildCare Commitment.  

2011 Gatherings are scheduled for:

July 12, Grand Rapids

July 13, Traverse City

July 14, Grosse Pointe Park

August 4, Battle Creek

August 15, Lansing

August 18, Novi

For more information, or to register online, visit womenscaringprogram.org. 

____________________________________________________________________________________