Advocacy efforts help moms and babies get health care and health coverage by urging lawmakers at federal, state and local levels to enact legislation that will have a positive impact on lifesaving policies and programs.

1999 Public Affairs Issues and Priorities

The March of Dimes Public Affairs Issues and Priorities for 1999 were developed under the direction of the National Public Affairs Committee and presented to the Foundation's Board of Trustees during their September 11, 1998 meeting.

The issues and priorities are intended to serve as a framework for ensuring that March of Dimes volunteers and staff speak with one voice when discussing the organization's advocacy agenda. The issues and priorities fall into four general categories.

I. Access to Health Care for Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children

• Implementation of the State Children's Health Program (S-CHIP) to increase health care coverage for infants and children. Key issues include prompt enrollment of newborns, managed care protections for infants with special health care needs, appropriate pediatric benefit plans and evaluation of program effectiveness.
• Expanding health insurance coverage for pregnant women through S-CHIP. Key issues are inclusion of prenatal care, labor and delivery services for mothers.
• Initiatives to prohibit genetic discrimination in health insurance, and to protect patient privacy.

II. Research to Prevent Birth Defects and Infant Mortality

• Birth defects surveillance and research programs at the state, federal and international levels.

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

• Preconception programs and services including increased use of folic acid.
• Substance abuse prevention and treatment for pregnant women and their babies.

IV. Institutional Concerns for Non-Profit Organizations

• Tax treatment of charitable contributions.

Advocacy Highlighted at 1998 Volunteer Leadership Conference

National Public Affairs Committee Chair Anna Eleanor Roosevelt stressed the importance of advocacy to the mission of the March of Dimes during the foundation's 1998 Volunteer Leadership Conference held in Pittsburgh, PA, October 15-18.

"Speaking Boldly for Babies," Ms. Roosevelt, a member of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, said, "Obviously, there's still a lot of work to do.

"And we are the ones who must take the initiative because it won't just happen...Now is the time to speak boldly and make our voice heard."

March of Dimes Advocacy Update Available Online

The March of Dimes Advocacy Update can be accessed through the organization's national website at www.modimes.org.

To receive the Advocacy Update via E Mail or for more information about the distribution process, please contact the Office of Government Affairs at (202)659-1800 or E Mail Susan Langley at slangley@modimes.org.