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This research provides a statistical estimation of the impact of the Medicaid and WIC programs on the infant mortality rate in the United States. These programs are designed to improve the health of poor people by increasing access to traditional medical care and by improving the nutritional values of diets. Using a quasi-experimental, time-series analysis, program impacts are estimated for all infants, white infants, and nonwhite infants. The results suggest that these federal programs are responsible for a 20,000 to 35,000 annual reduction in infant deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article examines the congressional allocation of federal grant funds. Reflecting the decision processes and norms of Congress, federal grant funds are allocated almost completely on the basis of population (or equal share). None of the other factors used to allocate specific federal funds (e.g., income, poverty, unemployment) have a great deal of impact. As a result, most congressional battles are at the margin with only marginal impact on the overall distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]