By: Stacey Friedman, Center Road Solutions
The Coalition to Advance Maternal Therapeutics (CAMT) hosted its annual all-member meeting on October 23, 2023 in Washington, D.C. The meeting brought together CAMT’s membership of advocates, policy professionals, and other stakeholders spanning diverse organizations, all of whom are dedicated to improving access to medication for pregnant and lactating populations. The meeting covered topics ranging from legislative initiatives to industry partnerships and explored the exciting work CAMT has planned for the year ahead.
Becca Flikier, legislative director in the Office of Representative Lois Frankel (D-FL), kicked off the meeting by providing a comprehensive overview of the appropriations process. Emphasizing the significance of early advocacy, Flikier highlighted key steps in the federal budget and appropriations process, from the release of the President’s budget to final passage of the legislation. She stressed to coalition attendees the importance of engaging with members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees throughout the year, but specifically urged advocates to start early and to submit requests well before their set deadlines. She also encouraged advocates to consider advocating for specific report language within appropriations bills to advocate for particular changes and improvements in health programs, including but not limited to maternal health-related initiatives. (Reports often accompany appropriations bills and provide more detailed guidance to federal departments and agencies.)
Following the update from Flikier, Marie Teil, global head of the Women and Childbearing Age (WoCBA) Program at UCB, shared insights into the program, which focuses on supporting pregnant and lactating women with chronic diseases – particularly autoimmune diseases, epilepsy, and generalized myasthenia gravis. As part of its efforts, the WoCBA program has identified the most prominent concerns among people with severe, chronic diseases, which include access to support, pathways to care, engagement with specialists, and employment. In response, and to empower women with information and resources to make important health care decisions, the program has released a “patient voice manuscript,” a patient-health care provider pregnancy discussion guide, and various social media awareness campaigns.
In addition, Teil highlighted another UCB initiative, BRIDGE (Better Research, Information, and Data Generation for Empowerment), which aims to empower women with chronic diseases before, during, and after pregnancy. BRIDGE focuses on generating data and ensuring that such data is available and well-communicated to patients and providers. Built on principles of individualized decision-making and access to relevant information, BRIDGE envisions a future where all medications are tested on pregnant and lactating populations.
After the guest presentations, coalition leadership shared updates on CAMT’s current priorities, including the coalition’s appropriations requests and legislative initiatives. Notable achievements over the past year have included securing funding for the Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women (PRGLAC) Advisory Committee in the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations report language and securing leads for the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act (ASMMBA). Looking ahead, CAMT plans to engage members of Congress on new appropriations requests, the introduction of ASMMBA in the Senate, and increased opportunities for coalition engagement.
The meeting concluded with an open floor for questions and discussion. Coalition members reviewed their upcoming projects, including workshops, collaborative campaigns, and letters of support, demonstrating the diverse organizations’ efforts to drive change in health care. As the work continues, the shared goal of improving outcomes for pregnant and lactating individuals remains a focus for each of CAMT’s dedicated member organizations.
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