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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: Becky Johnson-Rescola, Ohio Director of Program Services at (216) 643-3330.
Public Policy Research
One of the responsibilities of the March of Dimes Office of Government Affairs is to direct public policy studies that support national and Chapter advocacy priorities.
National Advocacy Issues and Priorities

Public Affairs Issues and Year 2010 Advocacy Priorities

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 2010.  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 Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), other publicly supported programs, as well as private insurance to improve access to health services. Securing coverage of pregnant women through CHIP is a requirement for every Chapter.

-Development and use of perinatal and pediatric quality measures.

-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 infants and children living with birth defects and health problems associated with preterm birth.

II.      RESEARCH TO PREVENT PREMATURITY, BIRTH DEFECTS AND INFANT MORTALITY

-Birth defects (including heritable disorders detected through screening) 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 women of childbearing age, 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.



Ohio hits 29!
Ohio Updates Family Planning Rules


Ask members of Congress to sponsor the Preemie Act.