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Congress Approves Preemie Bill!

James SooHoo - 09:37pm Dec 11, 2006 EST
Share Your Story Community Host

Message from Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes

Together we made a difference!

Dear Share Your Story Community,

I'm extremely pleased to report two major legislative victories for the March of Dimes, babies, families, and all Americans. Early in the morning on December 9th, Congress approved the PREEMIE Act (S. 707). The bill will now be sent to President Bush for his signature. This bill would not have passed without the hard work of volunteers and staff across the nation who reached out to their Senators and Congressional Representatives through personal visits, telephone calls, letters and emails urging swift approval of this initiative that sets the stage for increased federal support of prematurity related research and education.

Congress also approved a bill to extend temporarily federal support of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), thereby avoiding a funding shortfall projected to impact 17 states, putting over 600,000 infants and children at risk of losing their health insurance.

Your volunteer efforts for the March of Dimes have again proven successful in meeting the health needs of America's infants and children. Let's savor these significant legislative victories and also get ready for next year's agenda -- funding for the PREEMIE Act and long term reauthorization of SCHIP.

The Share Your Story community helped make it happen!

All the best for Happy Holidays,

Dr. Jennifer L. Howse
President
March of Dimes

(older msg: 8)

lesleylynn - Dec 12, 2006 1:59 pm (#9 Total: 17)

Mommy to Lesley... my 34 week beauty queen!

I cried tears of joy as I read this! This is just amazing!!! Thank you to each and everyone of you that made a difference!

SHARE is the best... as always!

Tracy

LogansMom28w - Dec 12, 2006 4:52 pm (#10 Total: 17)

My 3 boybarians are 4, 5 and 7.

This is fantastic news. It makes my heart glad to know that there is power in numbers. Share volunteers have the heart, passion and life experience to find the words to reach our Congress and Reps. Partnered with the political expertise of the Advocacy employees at March of Dimes... we're the perfect secret weapon!

Way to go... I am grateful to each volunteer who called, and each employee who works hard everyday to make these changes possible for babies like Logan.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darcy

DNASMOM - Dec 12, 2006 4:57 pm (#11 Total: 17)

Mom to a feeder and grower born June 2004 almost 33 wks 2lb 13 oz.

This is such wonderful news. I am truly honored to be a member of a team of such dedicated parents.

This just proves that we do make a difference. This proves that your one voice is being heard. Together we are moving forward in leaps and bounds to fight the devastation of premature birth.

Thank you to each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

I forgot to add: WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Karen

Kellars Mommy - Dec 12, 2006 10:42 pm (#12 Total: 17)

Mom to Kellar ( 26 wker ) and a angel Cameron ( 20 wks)

I could not agree more, I hope that they do more research on incompetent cervix as well, I had no clue about this till I lost my first ds due to this, and Kellar spent 17 wks in the NICU even with a stitch...WOOOOO-HOOOOOOO.....

WWW.KELLARREID.COM

DSC04118

PHOENIX'S MOM - Dec 13, 2006 2:45 am (#13 Total: 17)

Phoenix, always in our hearts!!!

This is the best news

This is the best news that I have heard. I am so happy that the bill made it through. Way to go to!!!! I am so glad that we could open the eyes of the law makers.

Mesha - Dec 14, 2006 1:20 am (#14 Total: 17)

Great News & Congrads

I am soo happy that everyone has put forth their efforts to support this preemie act. I along with my husband, our friends & family also helped out as well.

Just want to say again how happy & pleased i am in being apart of something to help not only my son but other children around the USA as well.

Thanks to everyone..

Lisa.M.Harris - Jan 4, 2007 8:19 pm (#15 Total: 17)

I'm Simply Amazed

Until I got involved in M.O.D I never realized how common babies born prematurely was. I also didn't realize that the e - mailing of politicians could make so much of a difference! :smile

MAMA JULES - Jan 25, 2007 10:11 pm (#16 Total: 17)

GOOD JOB EVERYONE! THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE THAT IF WE WORK TOGETHER WE CAN PROTECT OUR LITTLE ONES.

BellaBear1010 - Jan 29, 2007 11:32 pm (#17 Total: 17)

This is wonderful news. I agree, if you have never experienced Premature births, then you have no reason to pay it any attention. But it is a very serious agenda, and I promise to be more pro-active in doing my part for 2007 and beyond...

Lets build on our experiences and stand together as we take on the major task of life in and after the NICU...

my deepest appreciaton for the March of Dimes in their endeavors.

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