http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/petitionforpreemies/ In support of the March of Dimes' Petition for Preemies, we have taken on the task of gathering signatures to submit to them. November is when we focus the nations attention on the impact premature birth has on babies and families, and on the opportunities for prevention. Today more than 1,400 babies in the U.S. will be born prematurely. Many will be too small and too sick to go home. Instead, they face weeks or even months in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). These babies face an increased risk of serious medical complication, and death; however, most eventually will go home. The 2008 Petition for Preemies raises awareness of the crisis in premature birth and catapults the issue to the top of the health care agenda. In the United States today, more newborns die from premature birth than any other cause, and millions of children face serious health challenges or have trouble learning in school because they were born too soon. The petition calls for: expanded federal support for prematurity-related research to uncover causes of premature birth leading not only to strategies for prevention, but improved care and outcomes for preterm infants, expanded access to health coverage for women of childbearing age and support for smoking cessation programs as part of maternity care, and promotion of workplaces that support maternal and infant health. 1. We urge the federal government to increase support for prematurity-related research and data collection as recommended by the Institute of Medicine and the Surgeon Generals Conference on the Prevention of Preterm Birth, to: (a) identify the causes of premature birth; (b) test strategies for prevention; (c) improve the care, treatment and outcomes of preterm infants; (d) and better define and track the problem of premature birth. 2. We urge federal and state policymakers to expand access to health coverage for women of childbearing age and to support smoking cessation programs as part of maternity care. 3. We call on hospitals and health care professionals to voluntarily assess c-sections and inductions that occur prior to 39 weeks gestation to ensure consistency with professional guidelines*. 4. We call on businesses to create workplaces that support maternal and infant health. Your support is greatly appreciated! Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:0:00 CST en-us 3 http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/petitionforpreemies/#sig4540419 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition.