There are few things more important than the health of our children. With Alaska's dishearteningly high rates of child neglect and abuse, we need to do everything we can to ensure that our babies are developing healthily and happily.
One of the surest and easiest ways we can do this is by taking our newborns in for regularly scheduled well-baby exams. A pediatrician can evaluate overall development and health by checking the infant's hearing, vision, language skills, motor skills, diet and immunizations to prevent infectious diseases. Equally important, they are a positive opportunity to educate parents in proper child care.
These exams are estimated to cost between $125 and $250 per visit. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a schedule of 10 exams in the first 24 months of a baby's life.
Two years ago, when I took my newborn son, Grayson, in for his first scheduled well-baby exam, I was shocked to discover that my medical insurance wouldn't cover the cost. I was also troubled to learn that there are many insurers that don't include well-baby exams under their standard coverage.
My discovery compelled me to introduce Senate Bill 170 establishing insurance coverage for well-baby exams. Passed last session, SB 170 requires insurers in Alaska to offer well-baby exam coverage to their policyholders. It was endorsed by physicians and pediatricians across the state, including the Alaska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Voices for Alaska's Children and Youth. Senate Bill 170 only became effective in September.
I appreciate the support of experts including Dr. Richard Mandsager, executive director of The Children's Hospital at Providence in Anchorage. Testifying on behalf of SB 170, he said, " I have numerous personal examples of the value of well-child exams.
"Problems can be found early, parental support and education gets provided, nutrition status gets assessed and developmental issues are found early."
"Babies are unable to speak for themselves," Dr. Mandsager added. "We need to do it for them."
While parents and most of us would agree that you can't put a price on a child's health, sadly, not everyone can afford to take their newborn to the doctor as often as they should.
While shepherding SB 170 though the legislative process, I was pleased to discover that many clinics in Alaska recognize the importance of routine pediatric health care and offer well-baby exams on a sliding-scale fee basis. They are willing to work with patients to ensure they bring their babies in for regular check-ups.
Well-baby exams are also covered under Denali Kid Care, a state program that provides medical coverage to children and pregnant mothers under determined income guidelines.
There's also good news for state workers. While SB 170 was making its way through the Legislature, the administration decided to begin including well-baby exam coverage in health plans for state employees.
What this all means is that there are more opportunities and more immediate and effective ways for you to make sure your child is receiving proper pediatric care.
Please be responsible and get your newborn or infant on a regular schedule of well-baby exams.
Alaska's children deserve it.
Senator McGuire is an Anchorage Republican representing Senate District N.
By SEN. LESIL MCGUIRE