Family planning: sudden infant death syndrome bills

Family planning, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) bills approved by the Senate Child Health and Human Development Subcommittee authorize $2.5 billion over 1979-1983 for family planning and $49 million over the same period for SIDS. The Human Resources Committee is expected to mark-up both bills May 3, 1978. The SIDS bill includes funds for expansion of counseling and information services, improving reporting requirements, and upgrading the SIDS unit in the Office of Maternal and Child Health. A total of $7 million is autorized for 1979. The Administration's SIDS bill includes only $3 million for 1979 and "such sums as necessary" for 1980-1981. The family planning bill authorizes $169 million for 1979, $197 million for 1980, $228 million for 1981, $263 million for 1982, and $300 million for 1983 to expand basic family planning services to adults and adolescents. It authorizes $42.5 million for 1979, $72 million for 1980, $105 million for 1981, $142 million for 1982, and $183 million for 1983 to provide services specifically to sexually active adolescents, plus $5 million in 1979, $7.5 million in 1980, $10 million in 1981, $12.5 million in 1982, and $15 million in 1983 for demonstration programs in infertility and to increase research in the biomedical, contraceptive development, and behavioral fields. The measure also provides $100 million in 1979, $125 million in 1980, $150 million in 1981, $175 million in 1982, and $200 million in 1983 for population research and reemphasizes the administrative functions of the deputy assistant secretary for population affairs and the Office of Population Affairs. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare is currently looking for someone to fill the post, the duties of which are now performed by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Programs J. Lashof. The Administration's family planning bill requests $145 million for 1979 and "such sums as necessary" for 1980 and 1981.