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AMCHP Legislative Alert Feeds

PULSE View from Washington View From Washington As we approach the AMCHP Annual Conference, I hope you share my excitement about coming to our nation’s capital at such a critical crossroads. 1/13/2011 View From Washington I recently had the honor of representing AMCHP in a congressional briefing, cosponsored by AMCHP and organized by our colleagues at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The focus was on infant mortality. 9/30/2011 View From Washington Highlights from the Patient Protection and Accountable Care Act (PPACA) which present the best opportunities to support the expansion of medical homes. 4/1/2010 View From Washington Health Reform Legislation Passes! So what happens next? 3/1/2010 View From Washington We share some conventional wisdom on the various scenarios in play with the ACA and what they might mean for MCH populations. 4/5/2012 View From Washington For the past seven years our colleagues at the March of Dimes have led a Prematurity Awareness Campaign with the twin goals to 1) raise public awareness of the problems of prematurity and (2) to decrease the rate of preterm birth in the United States. 11/1/2010 View From Washington It should not come as a surprise to even the casual observer that the Congressional process has become rather dysfunctional lately. 8/31/2011 View From Washington In recent years AMCHP’s advocacy work has been substantially shaped by a fascinating dialogue on how to best use evidence to drive policy. 4/18/2011 View From Washington View From Washington Here at AMCHP we’ve worked hard to institutionalize family involvement and family leadership in all aspects of our operations – including and especially in our advocacy work. 7/1/2010 View from Washington View From Washington There are numerous examples of where inspired leadership stepped forward to improve the lives of the MCH population. 10/1/2010 View From Washington The PPACA did include a handful of provisions addressing this issue’s theme of teen pregnancy prevention and adolescent health. 5/1/2010 View From Washington This issue marks the one year anniversary of passage of Affordable Care Act (ACA). 3/8/2011 View From Washington I want to start with the good news and bold proclamation that children in America are healthier today than at any time in history. 6/13/2011

AMCHP's policy and advocacy work is guided by AMCHP's Board of Directors and our Legislative and Health Care Finance Committee comprised of AMCHP members and partners.  AMCHP's Strategic Plan includes developing an implementing an annual legislative and policy agenda.  This agenda specifies where we will devote our advocacy resources and highlights key policy and advocacy activities for AMCHP. 

With all that we could do to support state MCH programs and provide national leadership on issues affecting women, children, and families, we use this agenda to make explicit what we will do in terms of advocacy on an annual basis.  Tier 1 priorities are items for which AMCHP will play a lead role.  Tier 2 priorities are items for which AMCHP will work in partnership to support.  Tier 3 priorities are items that are important to AMCHP, things that we will monitor, and areas that may develop into future Tier 1 or Tier 2 items.

2011 AMCHP Policy & Legislative Agenda

Priority I – AMCHP will play a lead role in advocating to:

• Fund the Title V MCH Block Grant at $700 million to improve the health of all women, children, and families, including those with special health care needs and to strengthen state and national capacity to assess the health needs of children and families, and the performance of health systems serving families raising children.
• Optimally Implement MCH-related Provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and provide state maternal and child health (MCH) leaders and their partners with the information, tools and resources to optimize the opportunities presented by the ACA for improving services, systems, and health outcomes for MCH populations.  
• Assure that an adequate portion of resources in the Prevention and Publich Health Fund address MCH issues and needs.

 Priority II - AMCHP will actively work with key partners to:

• Support reauthorization to strengthen and authorize adequate funding for key MCH programs including the Combating Autism Act of 2006, the Preemie Act,  theTemporary Assistance for Needy Familes (TANF) Act  and the Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Advocate for implementation funding for the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act. and Address Autism and other Developmental Disabilities by promoting expanded screening and supporting implementation funding for the Combating Autism Act of 2006 - emphasizing the active involvement of state Title V programs.
• Strengthen efforts to Assure Medical Homes for All Children, especially those with special health care needs.
• Partner to Support Comprehensive Approaches to Obesity, with emphasis on programs addressing the childhood obesity epidemic.
• Expand access to SafeMotherhood,  Preconception Care and Family Planning Services, including efforts to make contraceptives more affordable.

Priority III - AMCHP will monitor, and support efforts as time and resources allow to:

• Advocate for Funding of the Preventive Health Services Block Grant, supporting increased appropriations for the PHHS Block Grant.
• Support Comprehensive Approaches to Chronic Disease Prevention in women, children, and adolescents.
• Support Efforts to Promote Safe Communities and Prevent Childhood Injuries including full funding to support core injury prevention programs in all states.

Disclaimer
As a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization AMCHP complies fully with all Federal regulations, restrictions and established practices governing advocacy and lobbying activities.  No Federal funding is used to engage in any lobbying activities and all legislative activities are closely monitored and audited for compliance with all relevant legislation.  If you have questions about AMCHP's specific lobbying activities please contact our Director of Policy (see the "Advocacy Contacts" link to the left).