Michelle Gogerty, March of Dimes, (515) 657-6294, mgogerty@marchofdimes.com.
Des Moines, Iowa, January 10, 2012 —

March of Dimes volunteers and staff worked with state legislators to address the needs of Iowa's moms and babies and are proud to announce successes regarding the Foundation priorities of access to healthcare coverage and Birth Defects Surveillance/Heritable Disorders.

In regards to access to health care coverage, Governor Branstad signed two budgets into law that would 1) include funding for the current Medicaid Family Planning Waiver, and also funds for the expansion of the waiver authorized in 2010; and 2) include funding for Hawk-I, the state’s children’s Medicaid program.

As for the Birth Defects Surveillence/Heritable Disorders, Governor Branstad signed a budget into law that includes funding for PKU treatment and the Congenital/Inherited Disorders Registry.

March of Dimes Iowa staff and volunteers will continue advocacy efforts in 2012 in order to ensure maternal and infant health issues are addressed by our state's leaders. For more information on how you can help, contact Michelle Gogerty, Director of Program Services.