Advocacy

The NCPA in committed to promoting and supporting health care and public policy that ensure that women, babies, and children will have a chance for optimal health and development. The NCPA collaborates with other organizations, such as the March of Dimes, the NC Child Fatality Task Force, the UNC Center for Maternal & Infant Health, and the Perinatal Quality Collaborative of North Carolina, to plan activities targeted to influence evolving legislation and health policies.

The Perinatal Quality Collaborative of North Carolina (PQCNC) is a statewide organization of the stakeholders in hospital based perinatal care.  PQCNC's mission is to make North Carolina the best place to be born. Initiatives in 2010 included elimination of elective deliveries before 39 weeks and prevention of catheter associated blood stream infections (CABSI) in newborn critical care centers.  Initiatives in 2011 include support for vaginal birth and exclusive use of human milk in the nursery and newborn critical care centers.  To find more detailed information on these and other PQCNC initiatives, visit their website, www.pqcnc.org
 
The NC Perinatal Association supports the mission of this collaborative group in advocating for best care practices for mother and baby.  Currently there are funding opportunities for this group through Senate Bill S101.  NC Perinatal Association is writing a letter in support of PQCNC efforts to each of the seven sponsors of this bill.  We ask that you consider contacting hospital lobbyists and your own legislators regarding their willingness to support the valuable work of PQCNC.    To find the representative in your area, you can access the North Carolina General Assembly home page, http://www.ncga.state.nc.us, and follow the link on the header that is located on the far right, “Who represents me?”

If you would like to participate in NCPA’s advocacy events contact Joan Levy at joan.levy@duke.edu.