Protect Children, Fund WIC
(6/01)
Hon. Henry Bonilla, Chair
House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee
2362A Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Bonilla:
WIC has an extraordinary 27 year record of preventing children's health problems and improving their long-term health, growth and development. As the nation's premier public health nutrition program, WIC is a cost-effective, sound investment ? laying the foundation for America's children to learn.
The President's FY 2002 budget proposal -- $4.137 billion to serve 7.25 million participants -- threatens the states' ability to maintain services to participants served in FY 2001. The President's tax-cut proposal recognizes the diminished capacity of the economy. The WIC appropriation should respond accordingly. Given the Administration's unemployment projections and other factors, WIC funding should be increased by $110 million over the President's request to $4.248 billion. Why?
(1) WIC Participation: In January '01 WIC caseload was at 7.264 million participants. March participation averaged 7.29 million. Both exceed the Administration's FY'02 projections of 7.25 million. Unemployment has risen from 4.0% in January to 4.3% in March. The Administration projects unemployment at 4.6% for FY'02. In 1998, when the US last experienced a 4.6% rate, WIC caseload averaged 7.37 million. With continued economic decline and increased worker layoffs, WIC caseload could exceed 7.35 million.
(2) WIC Carryover or Recovered Funds: The 2001 and 2002 recoveries have been overestimated by $5-$10 million in '01 and perhaps more in ?02. Financial estimates require resource margins that will protect states should food costs exceed available WIC funds.
(3) Nutrition Services and Administrative Grant: The percent increase in the Administration's request for Nutrition Services Administrative (NSA) of 0.7% is inadequate to support funded participation levels, cover cost of living raises for WIC staff, or inflation on equipment, supplies, materials, rents and utilities.
(4) Infrastructure Grants: The Administration provides $14 million, but no increase for infrastructure needs. Fully 1/3 of states' Management Information Systems are at least 7 years old and ill-equipped to provide data services to track client participation, health and nutrition records, avoid fraud and abuse, process vendor claims and track rebates.
WIC is a short-term intervention program designed to influence lifetime nutrition and health behaviors in a targeted, high-risk population. WIC requires that clients have one or more documented nutritional risks and incomes less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level.
WIC serves nearly one out of every two infants born in this country. The President has repeatedly assured the nation that no child will be left behind! We urge you to heed the President's call and commit to funding WIC at $4.248 billion for Fiscal Year 2002.
Sincerely,
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
The UFCW was one of many organizations to sign the letter.
Here are the other organizations:
Alliance for Children and Families
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Ethical Union
American Public Health Association
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
Bread for the World
Capital Area Food Bank
Catholic Charities USA
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Coalition of Labor Union Women
Coalition of Religious Communities (Utah)
Congressional Hunger Center
Communications Workers of America
Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations
Food Policy Working Group
Food Research & Action Center
Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quaker)
General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Lutheran Office of Governmental Affairs
McAuley Institute
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
National Association of WIC Directors
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Oregon Food Bank
Partnership for Prevention
Presbyterian Church USA, Washington Office
Public Health Institute
Region IV Child Development Services, Teton and Sublette Counties, Wyoming
The American Dietetic Association
The Children's Foundation
The Salvation Army
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
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