XHonusWagnerX - 12-11-2006 at 05:16 PM
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.
The volunteer efforts of 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.
Voodoobillyman - 12-13-2006 at 02:58 PM
Although this is awesome, I must remind that this was passed by a lame duck Congress and will now have to face a new incoming Congress. I don't see
them shooting it down as it will be a Democrat majority and they pride themselves on social awareness issues like this. Good on the March of Dimes for
all of their hard work, and good on all who have somehow assisted them with the many issues they face and fight for.