N.C. Senator Ellie Kinnaird's Newsletter

October 2, 2011 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Ellie Kinnaird

Greetings from the North Carolina Senate,

The legislature funds many programs for our residents, quite a few of which are in the health care field. This week I attended a meeting of the Perinatal Quality Collaborative of North Carolina (PQCNC). This group works to have the best outcome for pre-mature babies through studying fields of maternal and natal health outcomes and what best practices yield the best results. Four areas have been researched and disseminated to doctors and nurses in the obstetrics and pediatric fields. The first is to carry babies to full term because less than full term babies often have problems that would not occur if they were full term. Common understanding is that a pregnancy is nine months, or 36 weeks. But it is actually 39 weeks. Who knew? Certainly not most women. The practice of inducing labor before 39 weeks puts babies at risk for several health factors. What is difficult is that many women and doctors feel it is all right to induce labor earlier to fit their schedules. But that puts the baby in jeopardy. So PQCNC is working with health care professionals to educate them about the bad practice of unnecessary early delivery. The second area of concern is the growing and sometimes unnecessary practice of cesarean deliveries. PQCNC is again working to educate doctors that this practice could have undesirable consequences. There has been a hopeful response throughout the state for these changes in the culture. A practice that greatly helps pre-mature babies to thrive is to put the naked baby directly on the mother’s (or father’s) exposed chest. The practice is called “skin to skin.” This closeness helps the pre-mature baby to develop. Another area that is best for pre-mature and all babies is the exclusive use of human milk which has many benefits to baby and mother. In years past, breast feeding has been discouraged through many societal, hospital and commercial factors. PQCNC is working with pediatricians, nurses and hospitals to help mothers (and health care professionals) realize breast feeding is the healthiest way to start children off in life.

A bill was passed that provides tax credits for children with disabilities to allow up to $3000 per semester for tuition, special education and related services at a private school or up to for a home school. There was debate about whether this was a help for disabled children whom their families feel are not getting the services they need, or this is the camel under the tent that will lead to school vouchers to pay for private schools. There are restrictions in the bill such that the child must have been enrolled for at least the preceding two semesters in a public school or received services at a public school. That requirement is reduced to one year after January 1, 2016.

Since there will be fewer bills to write about while we are not in session, I will begin covering the programs that receive state monies in our budget. If there is an area you have an interest in, please let me know.

Enjoy the beautiful, cool weather and sunny days.

Paid for by Ellie Kinnaird for Senate • Campaign Address: PO Box 668, Carrboro, NC 27510 • 919-918-3432
Legislative Office Address: Room 628 LOB, 300 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603 •