Washington - Representative Thaddeus G McCotter (R-Livonia) voted today for passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2004 which includes $200,000 for an infant mortality education program in Wayne County, MI. The funding was included in the original House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill which was incorporated into today’s spending bill.
McCotter worked with members of the House Appropriations Committee to secure the funds for the local health project benefiting Michigan’s 11th Congressional District.
“Education is the first step in preventing the loss of innocent lives,” said McCotter. “These funds will support an outreach program based right here in the community and will have a positive effect on residents’ quality of life.”
The federal funding will be used to improve the Wayne County Health and Community Services Infant Mortality Education Program. The preventative program will focus on tobacco use, diet and activity, alcohol use and other behavioral issues which have a negative impact on pregnancies.
Nationally, the infant mortality rate is 7.2 percent but the rate in Wayne County is considerably higher at 11.1 percent. This program will help women understand the risk factors associated with infant mortality.
The conference report approved today is the final agreement between the House and Senate and waits approval by the Senate.
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