The March of Dimes Public Affairs agenda focuses on public policies and programs that
relate to the Foundation's mission -- improving the health of infants and children by
preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality -- and on issues that pertain
to tax-exempt organizations. Where appropriate, Public Affairs initiatives are designed
to support the March of Dimes priority that racial and ethnic health disparities be reduced
or eliminated. Issues are organized into the four general categories listed below with
specific examples cited for each category. A star in the left margin indicates that the
issue is a Foundation-wide advocacy priority for the year 2009. Federal advocacy on any
issues listed may also require participation by Chapters.

I. ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN OF
CHILDBEARING AGE, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN
## Federal and state policies pertaining to health coverage including Medicaid, the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), other publicly supported programs, as
well as private insurance to improve access to health services.
## Development and use of perinatal and pediatric quality measures.
• Federal and state initiatives to improve newborn screening as well as follow up and
treatment of infants who test positive for disorders identified through screening.
• 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 including public funding for priority programs.

II. RESEARCH TO PREVENT PREMATURITY, BIRTH
DEFECTS AND INFANT MORTALITY
## Birth defects surveillance, research, prevention and treatment programs at the state,
federal, and international levels.
• Data collection and 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 TO IMPROVE
MATERNAL, INFANT, AND CHILD HEALTH
## Smoking, alcohol and substance abuse prevention and cessation initiatives affecting
women of childbearing age and children.
• Initiatives to improve prematurity risk detection and pregnancy management to
prevent preterm births.
• Food and nutrition research, education and services, such as the Supplemental Food
Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
• Initiatives to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care.
• Programs to immunize infants and children, efforts to eradicate polio worldwide, and
research to develop new vaccines.
• Programs to reduce exposure to environmental and reproductive hazards associated
with birth defects.

IV. INSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS FOR TAX-EXEMPT
ORGANIZATIONS
## Federal and state laws and regulations related to tax-exempt organizations.
• Postal reform and rate changes.
• Tax treatment of charitable contributions.