The Wireless Foundation joined the text4baby initiative over two years ago because of the clear value we see in using mobile technology to improve the health of families in this country. Text4baby is the first of its kind – a free-to-end-user mobile health education service that provides moms with timely, relevant information in the palm of their hand. The mobile phone companies in the U.S. have come together around this cause, waiving standard text messaging fees and thereby ensuring that even the neediest moms can access critical, quality health information.

In a new partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – announced today - The Wireless Foundation sees the expansion of opportunities for mobile technology to be used to support the health of families and communities. Through various programs, CMS provides health coverage for more than 100 million Americans, but there are existing challenges in connecting families and children in need to these services. By incorporating text messages about free and low-cost health coverage for themselves and their children, text4baby will be able to decrease the barriers to access. The ability to have this type of resource information come directly to a mom, wherever she is, is just one more example of why mobile health is so valuable.

Not only is the text4baby service strengthened through this partnership, but the larger model for a sustainable cross-sector partnership is also bolstered as text4baby becomes a more integral part of the public health system in this country and the U.S. government partners benefit from the creative application of technology.

The Wireless Foundation looks forward to continuing to grow the text4baby program over upcoming months as we work to reach our goal of 1 million enrollees this year. We hope you will choose to join us and learn more by visiting www.text4baby.org.

About The Wireless Foundation

The Wireless Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1991 by the membership of CTIA–The Wireless Association®.  The Wireless Foundation emphasizes wireless technology’s ability to enhance American communities through innovative programs. Our mission includes demonstrating new uses for wireless technology that improve people’s lives and recognizing ways that individuals and organizations have used wireless to benefit their communities.