The March of Dimes Public Affairs agenda focuses on public policies and programs that relate to the Foundation's mission -- improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality -- and on issues that pertain to non-profit organizations.  Public Affairs efforts are organized into the four general categories listed below (specific examples are listed for each category).  A star in the left margin indicates that the issue is a Foundation-wide advocacy priority for the year 2003.  Federal advocacy on any of the issues on this list will also require selective chapter participation.

I. Access to Health Care for Women of Childbearing Age, Infants, and Children

• Federal and state initiatives to expand newborn screening and treatment.
• Federal and state policies regarding Medicaid, SCHIP and other publicly-supported coverage and subsidies to improve enrollment and access to health care.
• Standards of care for mothers and children enrolled in health plans.
• Standards to protect patient privacy and prohibit genetic discrimination.
• Federal and state initiatives to improve maternal and child health care.
• Initiatives to improve the health of preterm and low birthweight infants and children living with birth defects.

II. Research to Prevent Birth Defects and Infant Mortality

• Birth defects surveillance, research and prevention programs at the state, federal, and international levels.
• Research funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other Federal agencies to increase knowledge relating to the prevention of birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality.

III. Prevention and Treatment Programs to Improve Maternal, Infant, and Child Health

• Smoking prevention and cessation programs affecting women of childbearing age and children.
• Substance abuse prevention and treatment for pregnant women and their infants.
• Programs to improve prematurity risk detection and prevent preterm births.
• Food and nutrition education programs such as WIC - Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children.
• Preconception programs and services including increased use of folic acid.
• Programs to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care.
• Programs to immunize infants and children, research to develop new vaccines, and efforts to eradicate polio worldwide.
• Programs to reduce exposure to environmental and reproductive hazards that are associated with birth defects.

IV. Institutional Concerns for Nonprofit Organizations

• Federal and state laws and regulations related to non-profit organizations.
• Postal reform and rate changes.
• Tax treatment of charitable contributions.