Home Visitation Program Appears in Latest Health Care Proposal

Deep within the health care bill is a provision that early childhood advocates have been eagerly awaiting — a proposal to create a home visitation program for mothers and their babies. The proposal exists within the health reform bill that has been passed by the relevant committees in House of Representatives. But until yesterday it was not known whether the Senate Finance Committee’s version of health care reform would include home visitation. All eyes were on Senator Max Baucus.

By yesterday afternoon it was clear: Baucus came through. He released a health reform proposal that includes a home visitation program similar to what has been suggested by the House and the Obama Administration. On Tuesday, the Finance Committee will formally debate and suggest changes to Baucus’s proposal. Stay tuned on whether home visitation clears that next hurdle.