The 104th Congress: the outlook for maternal and child health

The November 8, 1994, Congressional election results represent an historic shift in the nation's political landscape and promise dramatic change in all aspects of domestic and international policy. This article attempts to assess the outlook for maternal and child health programs in the 104th Congress. It concludes that, given the emphasis on federal deficit reduction, maternal and child health programs will not be able to escape the budgetary pain. At the same time, welfare reform has eclipsed health care reform as the policy area that will be given a comprehensive look. Finally, state governments will be given an enhanced role in areas of domestic policy, including those related to maternal and child health.