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Issues and Priorities
March of Dimes public affairs efforts focus on national and state policies and programs that relate to our mission - improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. We are also involved in issues that affect non-profit organizations.
Advocacy Network
The Advocacy Network is made up of volunteers and staff who promote the March of Dimes mission agenda by contacting the governor and state legislators in response to Chapter action alerts.

If you are interested in becoming a public affairs volunteer, or being part of the advocacy network, please contact: 
Michigan Director of Program Services
(248) 359-1550
Michigan Prematurity Caucus
The Michigan Public Affairs Committee developed an initiative to create a large-scale, pool of legislative champions, The Michigan Prematurity Caucus.  The Caucus is charged with educating their colleagues about March of Dimes issues as well as aiding the enactment of legislation or regulation changes in accordance with our advocacy initiatives.

 

Four bi-partisan, bi-cameral legislators have taken on the role of Co-Chair of the Caucus; Representative Lesia Liss (D), Rep. Brian Calley (R), Senator Michael Switalski (D) and State Senator Tom George (R). 

 

Legislative members of the Prematurity Caucus are as follows:

 

State Representatives- David Agema (R), Kathy Angerer (D), Richard Ball (R), Joan Bauer (D), Doug Bennett (D), Darwin Booher (R), Pam Byrnes(D), Barb Byrum (D), Brian Calley (R), Bill Caul (R), Ellen Cogen-Lipton (D), Andy Colouris (D), Andy Corriveau (D), George Cushingberry, Jr. (D), Robert Dean (D), Marie Donigan (D), Kevin Elsenheimer (R), John Espinoza (D), Lee Gonzales (D), Kevin Green (R), Vincent Gregory (D), Richard Hammel (D), Goeff Hansen (R), Shanelle Jackson (D), Bert Johnson (D), Marty Knollenberg (R), Michael Lahti (D), Richard Leblanc (D), Lesia Liss (D), Matt Lori (R), Jim Marleau (R), Gary McDowell (D), Mark Meadows (D), Chuck Moss (R), Fred Miller (D), Tom Pearce (R), Gino Polidori (D), John Proos (R), Roy Schmidt (D), Bettie C. Scott (D), Mike Simpson (D), Alma Wheeler Smith (D), Dian Slavens (D), Dudley Spade (D) and Mary Valentine (D).                  

 

State Senators- Jason Allen (R), Glenn Anderson (D), Jim Barcia (D), Michael Bishop (R), Liz Brater (D), Deborah Cherry (D), Irma Clark-Coleman (D), Hansen Clarke (D), Tom George (R), John Gleason (D), Bill Hardiman (R), Tupac A. Hunter (D), Gilda Jacobs (D), Mark Jansen (R), Roger Kahn (R), Michelle McManus (R), Dennis Olshove (D), John Pappageorge (R), Bruce Patterson (R), Alan Sanborn (R), Martha Scott (D), Tony Stamas (R), Mickey Switalski (D), Gerald Van Wokerman (R) and Gretchen Whitmer (D).

 

Gaining the signatures and membership of these legislators not only positions March of Dimes as a leader on maternal/child health initiatives, but educates legislators and creates dialog among colleagues.  The March of Dimes would like to recognize these legislators and thank them for their support. 




Ask members of Congress to sponsor the Preemie Act.