March of Dimes New Jersey advocacy achievements

The March of Dimes advocacy agenda focuses on public policies and programs related to the Foundation's mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The New Jersey Chapter of the March of Dimes, through the efforts of its Public Affairs Committee and advocacy volunteers, has made great progress. The priority areas include: access to health care for pregnant women, infants, and children; research to prevent birth defects and infant mortality; and prevention and treatment programs to improve maternal, infant, and child health.

Some recent achievements in New Jersey include:

2006: NJ is one of only six states recognized nationally for achieving 100% + for newborn screening, meeting all national expert recommendations.

Attained passage of the PREEMIE Act by the U.S. Senate, which would allocate more federal funding of research on the causes of and preventions for premature birth.

2003: NJ State Budget funding of health care for uninsured pregnant women, infants, and children. Even in the state's fiscal crisis, efforts to retain funding of these health insurance programs were successful.

2001: Newborn Screening Expansion, updating the battery of tests given to newborns, which can detect certain metabolic disorders and allow for prompt treatment.

2001: NJ Kids’ Needs Initiative provides funding to programs such as EarlyStart prenatal health, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Centers, and substance abuse prevention and treatment for pregnant women and their babies.

2000: Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the CDC, coordinating and expanding the ability of the CDC to study birth defects and to support research leading to prevention and treatments.

2000: Birth Defects Prevention Act, creating a system of programs to track babies born with birth defects, study the causes of birth defects, and initiate community prevention programs.

1998-99: Federal and State Funding Allocations for State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP—NJ KidCare), allocating money for states to provide health insurance coverage for children who are not insured. Currently, March of Dimes is working with Senator Corzine and his colleagues to increase Senate support for bills that would expand S-CHIP to also provide coverage for pregnant women.

1998: Fortification of the nation's grain supply with folic acid, a B-vitamin that has been shown to help prevent up to 70% of neural tube defects, serious birth defects of the brain and spine.

1996: Federal Bill on Early Discharge, providing insurance coverage for women and their newborns for up to 48 hours after delivery.