 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Peggy Frances Bailey, MPA, Center for Policy and Advocacy, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1220 19th St, NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20036, 202-548-0472, pbailey@amchp.org and Deborah Dietrich, Executive Director's Office, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1220 19th St, NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20036.
Background: As the 108th Congress winds up legislative action for 2003, the status of various national legislation impacting the maternal and child health community will be addressed, gaps will be assessed, and an agenda for the future will be outlined.
Methods: National policy analysis and advocacy efforts undertaken by AMCHP and its partners will be highlighted.
Results: Although Congressional action for the year may not be completed at the time of the conference, conference participants will be given an overview of the legislative process, an update on the Department of Health and Human Services FY 2004 appropriation bill, welfare reform legislation and reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In addition, participants will be asked for ideas on how to increase policymakers’ awareness of the need for additional funds to improve public health infrastructure.
Conclusions: Though some progress on issues impacting maternal and child health has been made in the 108th Congress, much more work needs to be done. To achieve a national policy focus on these critical issues, a stronger voice needs to be developed for these issues to educate lawmakers and other policy makers.
Public Health Implications: Bioterrorism, and other immediate threats, have focused increased attention on the role of public health in our nation. However, the ongoing roles of public health have received less attention and there is reason to believe that without a concerted effort, money will be shifted toward these immediate concerns to the detriment of long-term public health infrastructure planning, as well as the needs of specific populations.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Federal Policy, Maternal and Child Health
Related Web page: www.amchp.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.