Despite reams of data and evidence on the benefits of programs such as Head Start and WIC that target the youngest and most vulnerable members of society, these programs have not been spared from the sequestration chopping block. Title V of the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, which enables states to provide a wide range of free or low-cost health services to pregnant women and young children. If sequestration remains in place, more than 5 million women and children will be dropped from the program. Meanwhile, approximately 200,000 fewer children will have access to immunization as a result of cuts to the Childhood Immunization Grants. Sequestration cuts to WIC means that approximately 600,000 of the 9 million women and children served will be dropped from the program. And sequestration is only part of WIC’s troubles, which also suffered cuts under the Budget Control Act of 2011 and recently passed appropriations legislation. When all these cuts are factored in, WIC will receive $500 million less in funds in FY 2013, than the $7 billion it received in FY 2012.
Source: Center for American Progress, 7/1/13, Sequestration
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