The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) continues to lead partners and collaborate with Congressional champions in support of the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant (Title V MCH Block Grant) through the annual federal appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25).
In July 2024, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee proposed a $5 million increase to the state formula fund of the Block Grant and a $15.848 million decrease to the Special Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS) portion of the Block Grant in the FY25 Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (L-HHS) bill. The following month, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee recommended level funding for the state formula fund and a $3 million increase for SPRANS in its L-HHS bill.
While we appreciate the Committee’s recognition of the work done by individual states as reflected in the proposed funding levels for the state formula fund, we remain deeply concerned about the SPRANS portion of the block grant. This marks the second consecutive year that the House of Representatives has proposed substantial cuts to SPRANS funding.
A loss of SPRANS funding could detrimentally impact MCH populations, providers, public health professionals, and trainees in a sweeping way. Currently, $210.1 million in SPRANS funding supports the innovative MCH work of 225 grantees across 59 states and jurisdictions. SPRANS projects complement the State Title V MCH Block Grant awards and other federal MCH programs by providing targeted support for MCH priorities across the life course, responding to emerging issues, and driving innovation.
On September 24, AMCHP led 77 national organizations and academic institutions in sending a letter to the leadership of House and Senate Appropriations Committees supporting increased Title V SPRANS funding in FY25. The letter demonstrates the broad support for funding the Title V Block Grant to improve maternal and child health. Read the letter and view the signers.
While we recognize the fiscal constraints and polarization of the current political environment, AMCHP continues to urge Congress to fund the MCH Block Grant at $1 billion in FY25, including an increase for both SPRANS funding and the state formula fund.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED AND STAY INFORMED?
The AMCHP Government Affairs Team will continue to advocate for funding increases to the Title V MCH Block Grant throughout the FY25 appropriations process and beyond. AMCHP strives to uplift your stories when advocating for robust Title V funding. Please email Amani Echols (aechols@amchp.org) to share how reduced SPRANS funding would affect your Title V programs and MCH populations.
To learn more and stay up-to-date about AMCHP’s appropriations efforts:
- Check out our Government Affairs webpage for our FY25 appropriations work to date;
- Review our AMCHP Title V MCH Block Grant: FY25 Funding Ask Sheet
- Register for the AMCHP Policy & Partnership Town Hall Series, which occurs on the second Thursday of every month at 2 PM EST; and
- Sign up for AMCHP Legislative Alerts and Policy Digest.
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with AMCHP’s Government Affairs Team: Sherie Lou Santos (ssantos@amchp.org) and Amani Echols (aechols@amchp.org).
