Healthy Start

 Dear Editor:

The revelation that the Florida Department of Health proposed a 22 percent funding cut for Florida Healthy Start is very disturbing.

Healthy Start is a cost-effective program that provides health services to Florida mothers and babies. It has proven to save the State money by helping fewer babies be born premature and helping more babies to be born healthy. If the 22 percent cut is allowed to happen, it will potentially strip health related services from 43,000 babies as well as lose federal matching funds and a significant number of jobs.  Locally, the health of mothers and babies in Bay, Gulf and Franklin Counties could be affected, due to the loss of risk appropriate services.

We must look at every possible solution to avoid putting babies at risk.  One option to consider, would have lawmakers close the loophole in Florida’s tobacco policy that allows 20 percent of the state’s cigarettes to be sold without making key state payments.

This may be particularly fitting considering that smoking and exposure to secondhand are leading preventable causes of low-birthweight babies. 

I hope that the Florida Legislature will consider the health of our babies and make the right choice for Florida’s future.

Sincerely,

Cathy Harcus

Board Member

Healthy Start