 |
 |
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 being part of the advocacy network, please email advocatetexas@marchofdimes.com
|
|
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.
|
|
81st Legislative Session Wrap-up
The 81st Legislative Session began on January 18, 2009 with the election of a new Speaker of the House, Representative Joe Straus. Health advocates were certain that we would successfully pass legislation to allow for an additional 80,000 children to have access to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). However, there were several highly contentious issues looming.
The 81st Legislative Session ended on June 1, 2009 without CHIP expansion, without passing Smoke-Free Texas legislation, without improvements to the Texas Department of Transportation, and without the Texas Department of Insurance sunset legislation. In the days following the end of the Regular Legislative Session, Governor Perry shared that he would call the Legislature back to Austin to complete unfinished business.
On July 1, 2009, the Legislature reconvened for a two day special session to continue the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Insurance and three other state agencies. The Legislature also authorized the issuance of $2 billion in transportation bonds that were approved by Texas voters in 2007. March of Dimes and other advocates had hoped the Governor would include CHIP buy-in for the call of the session, but he did not.
|
|
|
|
|
Ask members of Congress to sponsor the Preemie Act.
 |
|
