Tuesday, March 27th at 9AM

10AM – 12PM – Legislative Visits
12:30PM – 2:45PM – Luncheon 
  

Speakers: 
Tom Catron, Director of Governor’s Office of Coordinated Children’s Care
Susan Cooper, Commissioner of Health
Stephanie Dickerson, Assistant Director of CoverKids
Darin Gordon, Director of the Bureau of TennCare
Robert Gowan, Senior Advisor to the Governor for Policy and Legislation

WHY:  

1. The March of Dimes fully supports a smoking ban as outlined in Gov. Bredesen’s State of the State address earlier this year and, support of a tobacco tax increase.  

2. The March of Dimes requests that elected officials increase the tax on     cigarettes to the national average with proceeds used, in part, to provide additional   funding for smoking cessation services for pregnant women. 

3. The March of Dimes asks that elected officials support the expansion to require 29 core newborn screening in Tennessee.  Tennessee currently lacks 2 of the 29 newborn screenings (hearing and cystic fibrosis) as recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG). 

The March of Dimes and our advocacy partners, Tennessee Perinatal Association (TPA) and Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) advocate for healthy babies in Tennessee by promoting newborn screening and smoke-free initiatives.

Smoking Issues:  Direct and indirect exposure to smoke during pregnancy has been linked to preterm births (less than 37 weeks gestation), low birthweight infants (less than 5 1/2 lbs), and infant mortality (death within the 1st year of life). (National Vital Statistics, 2002)

• According to the Tennessee Department of Health, in 2004 19.2% of women reported smoking during pregnancy.  This is the highest percentage in 10 years.
• Of the total births in 2004, 9.4% (7,513) were born at low birthweight.  Of these low birthweight babies, 26.3% of their mothers reported tobacco use during the pregnancy. (Tennessee Department of Health)  In 2004, 14.5% of all Tennessee births were preterm.  (March of Dimes Peristats)
• Secondhand Smoke has been linked to reduced fetal growth and increased risk of low birthweight in pregnant mothers. (A Report of the Surgeon General, 2005)
• According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Tennessee currently ranks 47th among states for low cigarette taxes.
• A Report of the Surgeon General (2000) states that every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes will    reduce maternal smoking by 5%, youth smoking by 7% and overall smoking by 3-5%. 

Newborn Screening Issues:  Tennessee currently lacks 2 of the 29 core newborn screenings (hearing and cystic fibrosis) as recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and the March of Dimes. 

• Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders in newborns can lead to significant reductions of death, disease, and associated disabilities. (National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center)
• About 3-4 per 1,000 newborns have hearing impairment which is one of the most common birth defects. (March of Dimes)  30,000 children and adults in the US have Cystic Fibrosis.  (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation)
• Tennessee currently universally offers, but does not require hearing screens.  Tennessee does not universally require or offer Cystic Fibrosis screens.

Preemie Bill
Good news from Washington, D. C.! The US Congress has passed the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act, or PREEMIE Act. We look forward to President Bush signing this bill which will benefit America’s Children and their families. The PREEMIE Act (HR 2861) calls for:

• Expansion and coordination of federal research relating to prematurity that is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.    
• Authorization of funding for demonstration projects to test promising prevention and treatment interventions.  
• Establishment of a Coordinating Council on Prematurity and Low Birthweight to create a research plan, hold a Surgeon General’s Conference on Prematurity, and report to Congress. 
  
  Newborn Screening Article - click here to open it