ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the consequences for health and health care when single mothers attempt to cope with reduced income, lack of Medicaid for themselves and their children, as well as numerous serious family crises. Research by the Congressional Research Service indicates that over 550,000 persons were thrust into poverty because of the policy changes, and these persons were disproportionately single parent families and their children. Poverty and poor health are a painful reality for millions of American women and children-just as it is for millions throughout the world. Women in Georgia first received Aid for Families with Dependent Children at a median age of twenty, primarily because of pregnancy or childbirth as a single parent. The United States stands apart from other industrialized countries of the world in that it has only reluctantly extended income supports to its needy citizens-even when those in need are children, disabled, or ill-unable to care for themselves.
