To the editor,
ENGAGE
As a parent to three children, a South Boston, Massachusetts-raised local neighbor, and an American national and international community member, I’m concerned about global cuts to funding for USAID, causing a loss of decades of progress, and for national cuts in funds on Title V MCH Services Block Grant to the states. This matters to me because my three daughters, who are my world, world is directly and indirectly shaped by these appropriation decisions and authoritative legislation behind them.
PROBLEM – INFORM
Last year, the administration dismantled global health programs that have long saved lives and reduced poverty worldwide. At the same time, Congress cut critical programs like SNAP and Medicaid, putting food assistance and health care at risk for millions of people, especially children who suffer from challenges due to a lack of child welfare protections.
Title V Services Block Grant to the states funds the MCH Programs of DPH, the Department of Public Health, plus such programs as BFHN, Bureau of Family, Health, and Nutrition, or FIRST Families in Recovery Support Together program, with 90% of its participants being current or past involved with DCF, the Department of Children and Families.
These decisions have real consequences. In the United States, every two minutes, a child enters foster care. Despite large-scale metrics on numbers, this statement resonates on a minor scale. My two daughters were the only two 6-11 year olds and my other daughter one out of four 3-5 year olds put into foster care over the nine zipcodes (02109, 02110, 02111, 02113, 02121, 02122, 02124, 02125, 02127, and 02210) that the Park Street/Riverway Office covers over a minimum six month period according to quarterly Massachusetts DCF Data Dashboard and Reports.
Budget choices aren’t just numbers on a page. They reflect whose lives are valued and whose are not. These impacts are most important to you. For example, Families struggle to afford food. People lose access to health care. Deaths from preventable illnesses increase, and the separation of families is ongoing.
CALL TO ACTION
This year, Congress members Sen. Ed Markey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Stephen Lynch have a responsibility to do better. If these issues are preventable, and policy makes prevention opportunities, then as lawmakers make budget decisions, they must invest in people by strengthening Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance, and by recommitting to global partnerships plus federal-state partnerships that save and protect lives.
I urge my members of Congress to push for the country to ratify the United Nations Conventions on the Right of the Child adopted in 1989 to show investments in efforts for global protection measures for children alongside making national strides Maternal and Child Health, along with its female populations, to be prioritized to help build a healthier future for all by ensuring keeping families together and putting a stop to power oppression and privilege.
Sincerely,
Skye Ortiz
