House approves Kildee amendments increasing Healthy Start
A program that has helped fund expanded health services for women and children in Flint is in line for a boost in federal support.
An amendment offered by U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., passed the House of Representatives Wednesday, Sept. 14, potentially increasing funding for the Healthy Start Program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by $24.8 million.
The amendment now moves to the Senate, tied to the omnibus spending bill for the coming fiscal year.
In June, Flint received a $15-million grant for the Genesee County Healthy Start Program from that same DHHS fund.
In a news release, Kildee said Genesee County Healthy Start, which assesses the needs of children exposed to lead and connects them to available services, has helped the city recover from the Flint water crisis.
"The Healthy Start initiative has already helped Flint families and children mitigate the effects of lead poisoning by expanding access to health care and child development services," Kildee said in a statement. "I am proud to see the House act in a bipartisan fashion to provide additional resources for this successful Health Start program that will help families get access to the care they need."