Drug-Exposed Infants: A Generation at Risk
HRD-90-138
Published: Jun 28, 1990. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the growing number of infants born to mothers using drugs, focusing on the: (1) extent of the problem; (2) health effects and medical costs; (3) impact of the problem on health and welfare systems; and (4) availability of drug treatment and prenatal care to drug-addicted pregnant women.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| If Congress decides to expand the current federal resource commitment to treatment for drug-addicted pregnant women, it should consider increasing the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Services (ADMS) Block Grant to the states to provide more federal support for drug treatment. | The ADAMHA Reorganization Act, Public Law 102-321, addressed this recommendation. | |
| If Congress decides to expand the current federal resource commitment to treatment for drug-addicted pregnant women, it should consider increasing the ADMS Women's Set-Aside from 10 percent to a higher percentage to ensure that expanded treatment services under the block grant are targeted specifically to substance-abusing pregnant women. | The ADAMHA Reorganization Act, Public Law 102-321, addressed this recommendation. | |
| If Congress decides to expand the current federal resource commitment to treatment for drug-addicted pregnant women, it should consider creating a new categorical grant to provide comprehensive prenatal care and drug treatment services to substance-abusing pregnant women. | The ADAMHA Reorganization Act, Public Law 102-321, addresses this recommendation. | |
| If Congress decides to expand the current federal resource commitment to treatment for drug-addicted pregnant women, it should consider increasing funding of the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant program specifically for substance-abuse treatment for pregnant women. | The ADAMHA Reorganization Act, Public Law 102-321, addressed this recommendation. | |
| If Congress decides to expand the current federal resource commitment to treatment for drug-addicted pregnant women, it should consider requiring states to include substance-abuse treatment as part of the package of services available to pregnant women under Medicaid. | The ADAMHA Reorganization Act, Public Law 102-321, addresses this recommendation. |
Full Report
Public Inquiries
Topics
Block grantsCost analysisSubstance abuseSubstance abuse treatmentHealth care costsHealth care servicesInfantsParentsPrenatal carePublic assistance programsMedicaid