The March of Dimes Works to Protect Children

The March of Dimes advocates for national and state health policies and programs that benefit women of childbearing age, infants and children.

As part of the national Prematurity Campaign, at the federal level, the Foundation is advocating to:

  • Increase access to health coverage for women of childbearing age (especially those who are pregnant), infants and children
  • Fund implementation of the PREEMIE Act (P.L. 109-450)
  • Secure federal funding to implement the next phase of the National Children's Study
  • Secure federal funding for increased interdisciplinary research to find the causes of preterm birth and to translate those findings into clinical care strategies
  • Enhance data collection by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve understanding of prematurity, birth defects and infant mortality

Beyond Washington, D.C.
In addition to being active in national government affairs in Washington, D.C., the March of Dimes has chapters and divisions in every state and Puerto Rico. Their advocacy work for the Prematurity Campaign includes:
  • Improving access to health care for women, infants and children
  • Establishing smoking prevention and cessation programs targeted to the needs of pregnant women

Get Involved!
  • Learn more about March of Dimes public affairs work in your state.
  • Get the latest on high-priority legislation and government programs. Read Washington Update.
  • Sign up to receive Action Alerts and other advocacy news.
  • Download the 2008 edition of the March of Dimes Data Book for Policy Makers (4.71 mb, pdf). This valuable resource includes national and state information on preterm birth and health insurance coverage. It also provides talking points, graphs and tables to be used when communicating with federal and state officials, both elected and appointed.     

October 2008


  
  © 2009 March of Dimes Foundation. All rights reserved. The March of Dimes is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.