CRITICAL: 24 hours to reauthorize MIECHV!

We commend and thank all of you who have reached out to Members of Congress about the importance of extending funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program.

Last night, we were told by Hill staffers working closely on the ‘doc fix’ legislation that we may only have 24 more hours to include MIECHV reauthorization. Your advocacy is working - home visiting was trending nationally on Twitter during our day of action and many of you received supportive messages back from your congressional offices! However, there is more work to be done! We need one last push!

NOW is the time to turn the dial UP! We are asking you to call or email EVERY member of the Senate Finance Committee you can! They have jurisdiction over the ‘doc fix’ legislation and we need them to know how important MIECHV is to your state! Please call or email Senate Leadership too. We need calls from you and any additional influential grasstop leaders you can recruit to happen now. Call your Governor, Attorney General, and other influential leaders in the state to urge them to call Congress!

Important decisions may be made in the next several days! I myself will pledge to call 12 members today, please help me in this effort!

Call the Congressional Switchboard at 1-800-828-0498 & ask to be connected with any of the members listed below. When you reach the receptionist at their office, please identify yourself as a constituent and ask to speak to the health legislative assistant.

·         Senate Finance Committee Members here: http://www.finance.senate.gov/about/membership/

·         Senate Leadership here: http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/senators/a_three_sections_with_teasers/leadership.htm

Message to Congress:
“I’m asking for your boss’s support for including the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program as a “health care extender” on the Medicare Sustainable Grown Rate (SGR) legislation, also known as the “doc-fix.” The program, which funds evidence-based home visiting for low-income children and families, expires this year. This program makes a difference for some of the most vulnerable families and communities in our state. Participation in home visiting is voluntary – which means parents who participate in the program are committed to their success. States use MIECHV funds for improved prenatal health and birth outcomes, early childhood health and development, and reduction of child abuse, neglect and injuries. Please don’t let funding lapse. Ask your boss to let leadership know he/she (1) supports MIECHV and (2) wants it included as a health care extender on SGR.”  

Additional Information: Congress must act on the Medicare ‘doc fix’ bill by March 31. Because this is “must pass” legislation it is the best hope for action on MIECHV this year - so it’s critical that Senators hear from you now.