November 17 was World Prematurity Day, a time to spread information on how prematurity affects babies, parents, and families, and how it can be prevented. This year, to call attention to this important concern, and seize on the recent elections and newly elected lawmakers, perinatal professionals and parents are encouraged to join March of Dimes' "Mamagenda" in support of #BlanketChange, a campaign that urges US lawmakers to pass legislation that improves health care equity and access, and outcomes for parents and babies, including the prevention of prematurity. The current preterm birth rate is 10.5 percent -- the highest ever reported by March of Dimes. 

#BlanketChange is an urgent call to action, supported by data, for the new Congress to implement policies with solutions that are proven to improve equity, access, and prevention. Specifically, some of the measures requested with #BlanketChange are:

• Cultural competency and implicit bias training for health care professionals
• Ensuring proper access to maternity care for all pregnant people.
• Programs that provide low-income moms prenatal care, safe and affordable housing, access to nutritious food and enhance access to reliable and safe public transportation
• Adopt permanent Medicaid postpartum extension to 12 months and add reimbursement for maternal doula care for expecting people;
• Expand access to telehealth

You can read the complete policy initiatives here

You can help call attention to these critical needs by sending a message to lawmakers. March of Dimes makes it easy for you to contact Congress -- visit the #BlanketChange page and use the automated form to send a message directly to lawmakers. Your voice matters! 

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