{
"type": "rich",
"version": "1.0",
"provider_name": "Action Network",
"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
"html": "",
"author_name": "Lisa Bain",
"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/users/lisa-bain-4/profile",
"title": "Save Healthy Start",
"thumbnail_url": "https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/407/845/normal/Copy_of_Email_Banner_Pass_the_Mic_(1500_x_600_px)_(1).png",
"description": "At this moment, Healthy Start is in jeopardy — but it is not defunded...yet. The Senate has the power to correct course. Collective advocacy will be essential in the weeks ahead to defend the program’s legacy and future. Current Status of the Healthy Start Initiative Following FY2026 House Appropriations Action (Updated June 2025) Legislative Context In May 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill. That bill proposes eliminating all federal funding for the Healthy Start Initiative, a national program to reduce infant mortality and improve maternal and child health outcomes. The House Appropriations Committee report describes the program as "duplicative of other federal efforts." However, this proposed cut is not yet final. The Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to pass its version of the LHHS bill, and a final decision will be made through the bicameral conference process, where the differences between House and Senate appropriations will be reconciled. Until that process concludes, Healthy Start's funding for FY2026 remains undecided. About the Healthy Start Initiative Launched in 1991, Healthy Start is a federally funded, community-driven program focused on improving birth outcomes and reducing disparities. The United States has the highest infant mortality rate among high-income countries. Healthy Start serves 115 high-risk communities nationwide, including five sites in California. All sites are located in areas with infant mortality rates at least 1.5 times higher than the national average. The program traditionally attracts bipartisan support and aligns closely with a pro-family agenda, emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and locally tailored solutions. Healthy Start projects work to prevent infant deaths by: Increasing access to prenatal and postpartum care Screening and support for domestic violence and postpartum depression Distributing safe sleep and infant health resources Offering fatherhood support and parenting education What's at Stake The House's proposal to eliminate Healthy Start would dismantle a program that has supported more than 60,000 families annually in historically underserved areas, reduced health disparities through evidence-based interventions and culturally tailored care, and leveraged community partnerships to improve perinatal outcomes. Healthy Start's integrated, whole-family model is not duplicative but complementary to other federal programs. It bridges clinical care, community services, and equity-centered strategies in ways that other block grants or Medicaid funding mechanisms do not. What's Next The Senate must still finalize and vote on its version of the FY2026 LHHS bill, which may retain or restore Healthy Start funding. Final appropriations decisions will be made at the conference, allowing advocates to engage congressional leaders and emphasize the importance of continued investment in Healthy Start.",
"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/letters/eeffe5005d1fbb1a35888b1f60804024"
}