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SBAA NEWS
Special Edition
December 5, 2003
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TWO BIG WINS FOR SPINA BIFIDA ON CAPITOL HILL

The US Senate and House of Representatives both passed
the “Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Prevention Act of 2003.” It will now go to President
Bush for his final signature before becoming law.

We are grateful to all of those who have worked so
hard on behalf of the spina bifida community to make
the passage of this important act a reality. From our
leaders on the boards of SBAA and SBF who have spent
long hours on the Hill to those of you who made
visits, wrote letters and mailed in post cards—you
were all essential parts in our legislative action.
This is just the beginning. We will continue our
mission to advocate and affect change in legislation
at the national and local level.

A media release was sent to 3,500 newspapers,
magazines and television stations across the country.


National Spina Bifida Program Grows by $1 Million

Our hard work over the past year to grow the National
Spina Bifida Program at the CDC has been rewarded. We
have learned that the Labor HHS appropriations
conference report includes a total of $3M for the
National Spina Bifida Program, growing that program by
$1M!

This is a remarkable win for our community in these
challenging times. It will mean that there will be a
greater investment by our nation in spina bifida
research and programs.

Thank you to the leadership of the Spina Bifida
Foundation who spent so much time meeting with Members
of Congress convincing them of the importance of this
program. Thank you also to all who actively
participated in meetings.

Finally, thank you to our grassroots advocates who
filled out post cards, sent letters and called
Congressional offices. Your work truly does make a
difference.


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