March of Dimes Takes to Partisan Airwaves to Support Health Bill

Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes, delivered Saturday’s weekly Democratic radio address to outline her organization’s support of the controversial State Children’s Health Insurance Program bill.

And the address is drawing some attention because it is seen as an unusual move by a major national nonprofit organization.

“Yes, the S-CHIP bill has bipartisan support, and yes, it had just been vetoed, and yes, the override had failed, meaning the program had emerged from the category of “legislation currently under consideration” and was once again a safe topic of conversation for a 501c3,” writes the anonymous blogger at The Nonprofiteer.

“Still it was a startling podium from which to hear nonprofit advocacy. And how often do we see the sector’s 300-pound gorillas do anything courageous with their very considerable weight?”

Was this a smart move, or a dangerous one, for the March of Dimes? Click on the comments link below this post to share your thoughts.