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AMCHP Legislative Alert Feed

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

Welcome!
Our ACTION CENTER is where you can make a difference by emailing, calling, educating or visiting with your Member of Congress. 

Our messages are designed to protect and promote programs vital to women, children and their families.

Questions? Contact a member of our policy team by clicking the Policy Team link. 

We look forward to working with you to advance AMCHP's mission of supporting state MCH programs and providing national leadership on issues affecting women, children, and families.

Take Action!
Please share our messages about potential cuts to state MCH programs included in the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bills.  While the details of final budget proposals are not yet clear, elected officials need to hear from you that these cuts are unacceptable!

When contacting policy makers, we ask that you share this simple message: you oppose any efforts cut core programs for women, children and families, including cuts to the Title V MCH Services Block Grant.  Other key points to share include:

• Women and children should not be at the forefront of any discussion to reduce the federal deficit. We urge you oppose any efforts to cut core programs for women, children and families, including Title V, WIC and Title X and instead take a balanced approach that does not start with cuts to programs for women and children.
• MCH programs provide the foundation for efforts to improve the health of women and children in our state. Further cuts will devastate state and local programs serving pregnant women, babies, children and children with special health care needs.
• Ask if the the senator/congressman/congresswoman will support our cause.

How You Can Take Action
First, identify your Members of Congress. Click here or visit www.Congress.org.  NOTE: If you are contacting your representatives in an official capacity you should review your agency's rules and regulations concerning direct contact with Members of Congress. Click here for more information on advocacy and lobbying. 

Then take action in the following ways:

CALL Your Members of Congress Washington, DC or district office. DIAL (202) 224-3121 for the U.S. Capitol Switchboard. SPEAK to the health legislative assistant. SAY that cuts to Title V MCH block grant will devestate state and local programs for women and children. THANK staff for their time.  SHARE any feedback with our policy team.  We love hearing about your advocacy experience!	VISIT Your Members of Congress in Washington, DC or their District office. DIAL (202) 224-3121 for the Capitol Switchboard. SPEAK to the scheduler REQUEST an in-person meeting with your Member of Congress. MEET Contact a member of our policy team to provide you with the most update information and materials to prepare you for the meeting.	EMAIL Send Members of Congress  emails using our on-line system. COMPOSE a message about the impact proposed cuts have on you, your family, and in your state. For a sample letter you can edit and then email, click here. SEND an email using our on-line system, click here.

Disclaimer
As a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization AMCHP complies fully with all Federal regulations, restirctions 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).