The Office of Child Health Advocacy and Policy supports the advocacy goals of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Each year, Children’s works to positively influence federal, state, and local public policy decisions related to children’s health and well-being. We work with departments throughout Children’s, patients and their families, health care professionals, community groups, and government officials. We are nonpartisan and proudly serve as child health experts and as a resource for our elected officials. We work for children!

Legislative Advocacy

One of the most effective ways to help protect the health and safety of children is to advocate on their behalf.

Legislative advocacy is speaking up for another or championing a cause, in order to change public policy. As citizens, we have the ability to change, keep, and make laws. Together, we can do this by voicing our concerns to public officials.

Children's Guide to Effective Legislative Advocacy

State Talking Points Guide

Federal Talking Points Guide

Overview of State and Federal Government

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Have a Policy Idea?

The Office of Child Health Policy encourages you to share your legislative ideas and projects. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children.
Submit an idea

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Elected officials visit Children's

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, held a news conference at Children's on March 8 to raise awareness of the sudden - and dramatic - increase in the cost of a drug commonly used to treat heart defects in premature infants. The drug has been used for more than 40 years. Children’s staff brought the inexplicable price increase to the attention of the Senator.

CEO and president Alan L. Goldbloom, MD, hosted U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison on a visit he made to Children’s in July. Rep. Ellison’s visit was part of an ongoing effort to ensure that our legislators are familiar with the work Children’s does, and are well-equipped to speak up on behalf of children and children’s hospitals on important legislative matters.

US. Rep. Michele Bachmann visited and toured Children’s on April 3. Bachmann spoke with Goldbloom and Mary Braddock, MD, director of child health policy, about the importance of Medicaid and about Children’s commitment to training the next generation of pediatric physicians.