Throughout its history, the March of Dimes has been committed to maintaining an active, well-respected, non-partisan presence in the political arena. In South Carolina, the March of Dimes and the South Carolina Perinatal Association have joined forces to advocate for the health of mothers and babies. Together, the organizations set an annual advocacy agenda, participate in public hearings, forums and coalitions and develop relationships with elected officials.
Never underestimate the power of your involvement in advocacy for mothers and babies. Legislators tell us for every call or letter they receive from a constituent, they assume there are ten people concerned about the same issue.
To join our advocacy network and receive e-mail alerts about how you can help moms and babies by joining our advocacy efforts, please click below.
2007 Public Affairs Priorities for the South Carolina Chapter
1. ACCESS TO CARE
- Continue work as co-lead of statewide coalition to increase SC cigarette tax as a recurring revenue source for Medicaid with designated funds for prevention programs.
2. NEWBORN SCREENING
- Work with SC DHEC and State Newborn Screening Advisory Committee to ensure that tyrosenemia type -I is implemented by March 1, 2007
- Work with key legislative contacts and DHEC to implement a “hearing package” into legislation to ensure follow-up of children with identified hearing loss by increasing Medicaid to audiologists and for treatment.
3. SMOKING CESSATION
- Consult with pharam-lobbyist to ensure that Medicaid coverage of pharmacotherapy is not in jeopardy of losing funding
- Engage advocacy network and key volunteers for testimony, editorials and presence for the support of city, county and state-wide smoke – free ordinances.
ADVOCACY WINS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA MOMS AND BABIES IN 2007
The March of Dimes SC Chapter’s Advocacy efforts helped to accomplish several wins for South Carolina’s moms and babies this year. These wins would not be possible without the dedication and assistance of our wonderful volunteers and community partners! Thank you to all those who helped!
- March of Dimes wants each and every child in our state to have access to quality health care. This year, we advocated for reauthorization and expansion of State Children’s Health Insurance Program (or SCHIP). This was approved in the state budget for $22 million which will increase SCHIP eligibility from 150% of the poverty level to 200% of the poverty level. This is expected to provide an additional 70,000 children in South Carolina with healthcare coverage who previously had none.
- Post Partum Newborn Home Visits have been demonstrated to decrease infant mortality rates. Therefore, March of Dimes supported the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s request for $1,096,160 in recurring funds and $40,000 in non-recurring funds to provide post partum newborn home visits. This funding was secured during the 2007 legislative session. During the post partum newborn home visit a well-trained registered nurse provides an in-home assessment of the mother/baby and family in their home environment and links the most into post delivery care and family planning services and the baby into a medical home.
- Studies show that babies of women who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy may have reduced growth and an increased risk of preterm delivery. 1 in 6 babies born in South Carolina are premature which can lead to an increased risk of serious health problems. Consequently, March of Dimes advocated that a comprehensive smoking bill as well as local smoking ordinances be enacted. South Carolina currently has eleven ordinances in place throughout the state.
- The 2006 addition of tyrosenemia type –I to the required newborn screens was implemented in April of this year, guaranteeing that each and every baby born in South Carolina is screened for this Amino Acid Metabolism Disorder. South Carolina’s babies are required to be screened for 28 of the 29 disorders the American Academy of Pediatrics and March of Dimes recommend. The final and 29th screening test is a hearing test. Although almost all South Carolina hospitals are screening newborns for hearing, this test is not yet required for hospitals with less than 100 births annually. For a complete list of newborn screening tests, click on the link below- learn more about newborn screening.
2006 LED TO THREE PUBLIC AFFAIRS WINS -- great strides under the leadership of our Public Affairs Chairman, Mr. Jim Hart, of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
- Secured stable funding (over $850,000) for the SC Birth Defects Program through a line item in SC DHEC’s 2007 fiscal year budget request.
- South Carolina gained approval to add tyrosenemia-type I as a required newborn screening effective March 1, 2007.
- Sullivans Island, Greenville, and Columbia, South Carolina have approved smoke-free workplace ordinances.
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