Marr: state Department of Health can temporarily cover loss of federal funds

OLYMPIA – Cleft lip and cleft palate patients have won a short reprieve as the Washington State Department of Health pledged to temporarily continue a program threatened by cuts in the federal Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. The program teaches parents feeding techniques for infants born with cleft lips and cleft palates, and helps families find specialized maxillofacial care.

“Federal funding cuts are definitely impacting public health services in local communities,” said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. “Through some short-term administrative juggling, we are able to cover expenses for this program for the next few months, but will need some help from the Legislature to go beyond that.”

Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, promised to champion those efforts during the 2008 legislative session beginning in January.

“We strongly believe in providing access to affordable health care, even if President Bush disagrees,” Marr said. “We’ve sent a strong message that kids come before politics in this state.”

Marr, who serves on the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee, strategized with Selecky and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, to find a solution to the loss of federal funds.

“The Department of Health has done its part with a short-term fix,” Marr said. “Now the Legislature needs to finish the job with long-term funding.”

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