South SFV Today

PALO ALTO, C.A. — On May 12 Representatives Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Michael Burgess (R-TX) along with Senators Bennet (D-CO) and Boozman (R-AR), introduced the bipartisan Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act, legislation to reduce health complications and infant deaths related to premature births. The legislation will expand research, education, and intervention activities aimed at preventing premature births.

Reps. Eshoo, Miller-Meeks, Kelly, and Burgess are joined by House co-leads Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Jenn Kiggans (R-VA).

“Every year, ten percent of babies are born prematurely putting them and their mothers at an increased risk of complicated health problems. Since it was first passed in 2006, the PREEMIE Act has helped researchers and doctors identify the causes of premature births and work to prevent them. I look forward to swiftly reauthorizing this important program to ensure that every child has a healthy start to life,” said Rep. Eshoo.

“Babies born prematurely shouldn’t be at a disadvantage because of a lack of resources. Every single baby born deserves a healthy start,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “I’m proud to lead this effort to support research that will determine what causes preterm births and what can be done to prevent them.”

“I am proud to help lead the effort to reauthorize the PREEMIE Act. Premature birth and its effects is still a leading cause of infant health challenges and even death, creating needless emotional and financial costs for too many American families. We must continue to empower agencies like the CDC to conduct research and empower local communities to implement best practices that prevent preterm birth and help our babies to live happy, healthy lives,” said Rep. Kelly.

“I served as an OBGYN in North Texas for nearly 30 years, so I know firsthand the importance of giving every baby a healthy start in life. That's why I strongly support the PREEMIE ACT, which provides critical support to make that a reality,” said Rep. Burgess. “By renewing the CDC's research and programs on preterm birth, improving national data tracking, promoting healthy pregnancies, and establishing a coordinated effort across federal agencies, we can take meaningful steps to prevent preterm birth and reduce infant mortality. This legislation is a crucial investment in the health of our nation's children, and we urge our colleagues to act swiftly to ensure its renewal.”

“Preventing premature births is one of the most effective ways we can reduce the rate of infant mortality that disproportionately impacts Black infants in my home state of Delaware and across the country – and that starts with collecting robust research and data,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan PREEMIE Reauthorization Act in the 118th Congress with my colleagues so that we can continue to fund critical research to expand our efforts in preventing premature births and reducing infant mortality.”

“In an average week in Colorado, 117 babies are born prematurely. We need to support more research to understand the causes of preterm births and ensure more moms have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Sen. Bennet. “Reauthorizing the PREEMIE Act will continue lifesaving research to prevent premature delivery and give mothers and babies a healthy start in life.”

“Investments in research and education programs are improving the health of newborns, but there is still more work to be done to help the 12 percent of babies born premature in Arkansas. This legislation is critical to decreasing preterm births, reducing infant mortality and increasing opportunities for children to lead long and healthy lives,” said Sen. Boozman.

This legislation reauthorizes programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to promote healthy pregnancies and prevent preterm birth. These programs include comprehensive data collection to investigate emerging issues in the reproductive health space and grants to educate providers and the public on the risk factors for preterm labor and delivery. The reauthorization also works to align and coordinate Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) activities related to infant health and requires the agency to conduct a study to assess the gaps in existing public health programs and opportunities to improve medical and behavioral interventions for women at high risk for preterm birth.

“Every baby deserves to receive the best possible start, but for too many in the U.S. that isn’t the case. Our 2022 Report Card shows that the U.S. preterm birth rate increased to 10.5% -- the highest recorded rate since 2007. That’s more than 383,000 babies who are born too sick and too soon each year,” said Stacey Y. Brayboy, Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs at March of Dimes. “Preterm birth and its complications are a leading cause of infant death in the U.S. and globally. Now more than ever we need to increase our investment in research and community support to families affected by preterm birth. The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act is the only federal law dedicated to preventing and treating preterm birth and is a critical step towards reversing this increasingly devastating trend and ensuring babies have the best possible start in life.”

“Approximately 1 in 10 infants in the United States is born prematurely despite decades of research and clinical advancement,” said Iffath A. Hoskins, MD, FACOG, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “ACOG strongly endorses the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act to continue critical work towards preventing preterm birth and address the devastating effects on infants, patients, and families. Improvements in data collection and investment in new research will improve clinical guidance and help develop effective strategies that will advance health equity and eliminate adverse birth outcomes. We thank Senators Bennet and Boozman and Representatives Eshoo, Burgess, Miller-Meeks and Kelly for their commitment to this important issue.”

“Nemours Children’s Health applauds the re-introduction of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act. In the U.S., prematurity continues to be a public health concern. It is the 2nd leading cause of deaths in newborns with 1 in 10 babies born prematurely. This important legislation would reduce prematurity by advancing research to address and treat preterm births, helping to create the healthiest generations of children,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, MD, MPH, MSHS, Nemours Children’s Health’s Executive Vice President, Chief Population Health Officer.

“DSM-Firmenich appreciates and supports the outstanding bipartisan leadership to reauthorize the PREEMIE Act. We look forward to working with the congressional champions to address the preterm birth crisis in the United States,” said Hugh Welsh, President, DSM-Firmenich North America.

The bill text is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE

Issues: Health Care 

Original source can be found here