AMCHP Leads Advocacy Efforts Supporting the Title V MCH Block Grant and Medicaid
April 11, 2025

The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) continues to lead efforts to advocate for $1 billion in FY 2026 (FY26) funding for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant (Title V MCH Block Grant) as well as protect Medicaid.  

On April 9, 2025, AMCHP Board President and Family Engagement Specialist for Arizona’s Title V Program, Dawn Bailey, submitted written testimony to be included in the record for the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Public Witness Day Hearing. Her testimony urged Congress to provide robust investment in the MCH Block Grant, reflecting increases to both the state formula fund and Special Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS). 

In her testimony, Dawn detailed how Title V provides critical, flexible funding that enables state and territorial public health systems to most efficiently, impactfully, and cost-effectively address health gaps and respond to emerging maternal and child health (MCH) challenges. She notes, “By design, initiatives may vary among states and jurisdictions, but all Title V programs function as chief strategists and architects for maternal and child health initiatives in their respective states.” 

She also emphasized the interconnectedness of various MCH initiatives, such as the connection between Title V and Medicaid, noting that “collaboration and success of all of these [MCH] programs are key to ensuring optimal health…for all families across the nation.” The Title V MCH Block Grant supports the infrastructure, workforce, and public health strategies that make systems work for women, children, youth, families, and the providers that serve them. Read the full testimony.  

This week, AMCHP also co-led with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, March of Dimes, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists a sign-on letter, signed by nearly 50 organizations, urging Congress to reject any proposals to cut, restructure, or restrict access to Medicaid. The letter underscores the program’s critical role in covering more than 40% of births in the U.S. and providing over 1.5 million low-income women with prenatal and postpartum care. The letter also highlights the importance of the 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage option, now adopted by 48 states and DC. Rolling back this policy or imposing harmful structural changes such as block grants, work requirements, or reduced eligibility thresholds would reverse recent maternal health gains and widen existing health gaps. Read the letter and view the signers.

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 FY26 appropriations process and beyond. AMCHP strives to uplift your stories when advocating for robust Title V funding. Please email Gabrielle Galusha (ggalusha@amchp.org) to share how reduced Title V and/or Medicaid funding would affect the MCH populations you serve.   

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