Advocacy Updates

The Society's 2019 - 2020 advocacy agenda is available here. 

Members of SMFM can learn more about how SMFM decides to take a position on health policy issues by watching this quick video. Recent letters, testimony and other correspondence can be found below.

August 22 - 23, 2019:  The US Task Force Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women met to discuss the implementation of its September 2018 report to US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. SMFM provided public comments during the meeting, and supported the appointment of several members to the PRGLAC working groups.

August 15, 2019: SMFM joins 52 other organizations to write to Administrator Verma in opposition to CMS' proposal, as set forth in the calendar year (CY) 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, not to incorporate into the global codes the adjusted values for the revised office/outpatient evaluation and management codes.

July 11, 2019: SMFM joined universities and other research-minded organizations to write to Sec. Azar in strong opposition to the new policies on research using human fetal tissue announced by the Department of Health and Human Services.

July 3, 2019: SMFM joins with other national health professional organizations to write to Congressional appropriators, urging them to include language in the FY 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations bill to support the Title X Family Planning program and ensure that no funds are used to implement the Administration’s final rule.

June 21, 2019: SMFM writes in coalition to House and Senate Appropriators thanking them for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill and urges appropriators to prioritize investments in women's health research.

April 26, 2019: SMFM's update on federal legislation focused on maternal health.

April 2, 2019: SMFM submits Public Witness testimony to the House Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Appropriations Subcommittee. 

January 24, 2019: SMFM signed on to a letter to Sen. Duckworth thanking her for introducing a Resolution for the designation of a “Women’s Health Research Day.” 

January 22, 2019: SMFM filed an amicus brief with ACOG, AMA and others in support of Planned Parenthood.