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1994.04.12 : Shalala Comments on Carnegie Report

Contact:  HHS Press Office
Tuesday, April 12, 1994                      (202) 690-6343

               SHALALA COMMENTS ON CARNEGIE REPORT

     HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today issued the following
statement regarding the release of the report "Starting Points:
Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children" by the Carnegie
Corporation:

     "The Carnegie report gives us a disturbing confirmation that as
a nation, we are failing to do our part for many of our children. 
We need to do better as parents, we need to do better as
communities, and we need to do better as a society.  Our country
simply cannot expect to prosper in the future if we do not meet our
obligations on behalf of our youngest and most vulnerable children.

     "I am happy to be able to say that the president has taken
strong steps in each of the major areas covered by this report.  At
HHS, the welfare of young children is a top priority.  We are
confronting the problems coherently and effectively. 

     "The president's leadership on health care reform is especially
important for launching children on healthy, productive lives.  The
Health Security Act would guarantee health insurance protection for
every American family.  It would provide coverage for the services
young children need, including prenatal care, immunizations, regular
check-ups, and preventive services including vision and dental care.

     "Likewise, this administration put early and heavy emphasis on
the Head Start program -- not merely expanding Head Start, but
improving this crucial program.  The president's FY 1995 budget
requests $4 billion for Head Start, an increase of 45 percent from
FY 1993.  We share the Carnegie conclusion that Head Start ought to
include a 0-3 initiative, and we expect bipartisan support in
Congress. 

     "In the area of childhood immunization, we are already moving
ahead with one of the earliest priorities of the Clinton
administration.  Working with communities and the private sector, we
are expanding immunization services in our clinics and eliminating
cost as a barrier to immunization.  For fiscal year 1995, the
president's budget requests over $1 billion for immunization,
including a 42 percent increase for vaccine purchase and a 27
percent increase for service improvements. 

     "We need to pay heed to the Carnegie report.  This
administration is doing and will continue to do its part.  Parents,
communities, the private sector, and indeed all Americans must pitch
in to do our best for our youngest children."


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