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Speaking Out on Behalf of Mothers and Children
March of Dimes volunteers speak out at federal, state and local levels of government on behalf of America's families. By giving testimony and by writing and visiting their public officials, they encourage policy-makers to invest in and support policies and laws that benefit families and keep the health of women, infants and children at the top of our national and state agendas.
Bringing Visibility to the Prematurity Campaign
Advocacy plays a major role in bringing national visibility to the problem of prematurity and to the steps necessary to defeat it. March of Dimes volunteers are focusing on:
- Raising public awareness of the growing problem of premature birth by urging public officials in federal and state governments to create and support programs to reach women of childbearing age; raising public awareness of the financial costs of premature birth
- Leading the advocacy effort to create state programs to assist health providers in improving detection of women at risk for premature birth
- Advocating to increase federal and state support of scientific research on prematurity
- Working in all states and on the federal level to expand access to health coverage for women, especially those who are pregnant, infants and children
Increased Federal Funding for Research
Success in reducing the incidence of prematurity requires support from the federal government. In fiscal year 2002, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [NICHD] invested approximately $104 million in research related to prematurity and low birthweight. The March of Dimes recommends a 10 percent increase for NICHD in fiscal year 2004 and an increase of at least $50 million over the next five years to boost prematurity-related research.
Federal Prematurity Legislation
The March of Dimes is calling on Congress to approve two bills that address the issue of prematurity. Both bills have been introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives and have a growing number of cosponsors.
The first bill, “The PREEMIE Act,” if enacted, would expand research into the causes and prevention of prematurity and increase public and health professional education and support services related to prematurity. The Senate bill (S. #1726) was authored by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Chris Dodd (D-CT), and the House bill (H.R. 3350) is sponsored by Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA).
The second bill, “The Prevent Prematurity and Improve Child Health Act of 2003,” if enacted, would increase access to health coverage for women, infants and children. The Senate bill (S. 1734) was authored by Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), and the House bill (H.R. 3293) is sponsored by Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO).
If you would like to participate in March of Dimes advocacy efforts, please contact your local chapter.
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Born 14 weeks early and weighing just 1 lb., 7 oz, Amanda Reeves was so tiny her arm could fit inside her dad’s wedding ring. Today that ring is a constant reminder of her struggle to survive... |
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How many babies are born prematurely each year in your state? Visit our PeriStats interactive data resource to find out. |
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