The U.S. government provides medical care for pregnant women.
The United States government offers several benefits for low-income pregnant women. Supplemental nutritional services, medical care and cash assistance are offered at the state level. The federal government provides funding at the state level for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs. Individuals seeking assistance apply at their state's department of social services or social organization. Eligibility is based on several factors determined by each state.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The WIC program provides supplementary meals to low-income pregnant women. The program also supports children through age 5. The Food and Nutrition Services division of the United States Department of Agriculture provides funding to each state. States are responsible for identifying those individuals who are eligible to participate. To receive funding, you must meet several requirements---categorical, residential, income and nutritional risk---after the completion of the WIC application process. If approved, the state provides vouchers, which allow the purchase of milk, eggs, cereals and juices, for example.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides medical coverage for routine physician visits associated with pregnancy. Each state administers the program, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). As a result, the regulations for calculating your income and resources vary from state to state. The federal government has identified a Mandatory Eligibility Groups list, which includes pregnant women. Annual income "must be at or below 133 percent of the Federal poverty level," according to DHHS. In addition, once the child is born, Medicaid covers both the mother and child.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PWRORA) replaced previous welfare programs, according to DHHS. The program provides funds to pregnant women and helps foster self-sufficiency. The federal government provides block grants, which in turn fund each state's TANF program. Eligibility for TANF is based on several factors including income, resources and assets.
Tags: pregnant women, federal government, government provides, according DHHS, Assistance Needy, Assistance Needy Families
