Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Government Relations Committee Form
Board of Directors Meeting, February 2015
Committee Name
Government Relations Committee
Committee Products
Advocacy Handbook
Legislative Summaries
Newsletter articles
Letters to agencies, legislators
Description and
Purpose
Monitors the activities of Congress and other regulatory agencies with
regard to legislation and regulations that impact the practice of maternalfetal medicine. Issues recommendations for SMFM positions on legislation
and regulations and performs advocacy services on behalf of the SMFM.
Advocates for priorities of the SMFM on a state level when issues arise.
Number of Members
14 (includes Chair)
Chair
Lisa Hollier, MD
Term
2013 – 2016
Members
Kate Menard, MD (Past President)
William Grobman, MD
Michael Paglia, MD, PhD
Orion Rust, MD
John Yeast, MD
Melissa Rosenstein, MD, Fellow
Brian Mercer, MD (Past President)
Rob Atlas, MD
Qing Li
Vincenzo Berghella, MD (President)
Laura Riley, MD (President-Elect)
Dana Abraham, MD, Fellow
2012 - 2015
2012 - 2015
2012 - 2015
2012 - 2015
2012 - 2015
2012 – 2015
2013 - 2016
2013 - 2016
2013 – 2016
2014- 2017
2014- 2017
2014 – 2017
Dan O’Keeffe, MD
Kathyrn Schubert, MPP, CRD Associates
Lyle Dennis, CRD Associates
William Goodnight, MD (Informatics Liaison)
George Saade, MD (Health Policy Liaison)
No term limits
No term limits
No term limits
N/A
N/A
Debbie Gardner
2010 – present
Administrative Assistant
SMFM Govt Relations Committee Form – Feb 2015
Goals and Objectives for 2015
Lobby to increase funding sources and
funding from each source
Incorporate SMFM policy guidance language
in annual Appropriations Report
Preterm birth language and language on
drugs in pregnancy and lactation
Encourage SMFM recommended language in
HHS Policy
Partner with advocacy groups comprised of
the public to help advance research agenda
and to generate fundraising opportunities
Create one page legislative summary
supporting funding of perinatal quality
collaboratives
Enhance the national reputation of the SMFM
Sign on letters and statements consistent
with SMFM goals
Build coalitions and alliances
Raise awareness of SMFM priorities with the
public using external website
Advocate for specific issues of interest to the
Society
Develop Call to Action for Drugs and Vaccines
in Pregnancy and Lactation
Preterm Birth Congressional Briefing
Responsible Party
Deadline
Schubert with committee
Schubert to send 2014 language
to committee members
Deadline March 26,
2015
Schubert with committee
Ongoing
Schubert with committee
Ongoing
Committee
March 2015
Schubert/Committee
On-going
Schubert/Committee
On-going
Schubert/committee/collaborate July 2015
with informatics
Hollier/Committee
Undergoing agency
reviews 2015
Follow-up activities still pending;
21st Century Cures Initiative
Follow-up with Burgess and Dugat
Schubert/Hollier/Committee
February 2015
Schubert/Hollier/Committee
March 2015
Senate language opportunity
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare
Outcomes
Enhance SMFM member interactions with
SMFM Govt Relations Committee Form – Feb 2015
Committee to contribute SMFM
names to Schubert
Congressional briefing
Partners: ACOG, CDC, American
College of Cardiology
Raise awareness;
Funding for reviews,
funding for data
improvement with
CDC; HIT
legislative and policy activities on the federal
and state level
Create Advocacy Handbook
Creation of one page summary on legislation
of interest to SMFM
Contribute to database of maternal mortality
review information
Provide input to State Map taskforce
Create advocacy position and resources on
the member section
Outreach to MFM Fellows to identify
potential GR Fellowship candidates
Work with Senator Brown and Congressman
Caps to write a letter to show support for
CoIIN Initiatives and to advocate for the use
of our SMFM / ACOG protocol for
progesterone
Pass a Maternal Mortality Review
Resolution within the AMA
Schubert/Hollier/Committee
Committee
Completed 2015
On-going
Committee with ICC
July 2015
Committee
Committee
July 2015
Hollier/Rosenstein/Abraham
ASAP
Schubert/Committee
Abraham
Target the
November AMA
meeting (September
deadline)
Government Relations Committee Accomplishments
Incorporate SMFM recommended language
in annual Appropriations Report
Encourage SMFM recommended language in
HHS Policy for Drugs in Pregnancy and
Lactation
Multi-organization meeting for Drugs and
Vaccines in Pregnancy and Lactation
Submitted SMFM recommended language in
House version of 21st Century Cures Initiative
SMFM Govt Relations Committee Form – Feb 2015
Schubert with committee
Completed 2014
Schubert with committee
Completed 2014
Schubert
Completed 2014
Schubert/Hollier/Committee
Completed 2015