DEPOSITED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CHILD HEALTH PROVISIONS OF SOCIAL
SECURITY ACT AMENDED

ON OCTOBER 24, 1963, President Kennedy signed Public Law 88-156-the Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendments of 1963. The legislation, which amends title V of the Social Security Act and adds a new title to that Act, is aimed at preventing and combating mental retardation through the expansion and improvement of the existing health programs for mothers and children and through planning for comprehensive action in the field.

The new law increases the amount authorized for annual appropriation for the Federal-State program of maternal and child health services from $25 million to $30 million for the fiscal year 1963-64 and, by specified steps, to an ultimate $50 million by 1969-70. Identical increases were made in the authorization of annual appropriations for the Federal-State program of crippled children's services. Appropriations to finance research projects related to these two programs are also authorized; the amount cannot exceed $8 million for any year.

The amendments authorize a new 5-year program of grants to public health agencies to provide health care for expectant mothers having conditions associated with childbearing that increase hazards to the health of these mothers or their infants. Only women who would not otherwise receive needed medical care are eligible under the program. The amounts authorized for appropriation are $5 million for the fiscal year 1963-64, $15 million for 1964-65, and $30 million for each of the 3 following years. The Federal grant cannot exceed 75 percent of the cost of a project.