WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) joined forces with U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Alma Adams (D-NC-12) to announce the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2023. One out of 175 U.S. births tragically result in stillbirths, accounting for nearly 21,000 stillbirths a year—more stillbirths annually than the number of babies who pass during the first year of life.
The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2023 amends Title V, the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant of the Social Security Act, to clarify that stillbirth prevention activities and research are an allowable use of funds. This clarification will support stillbirth prevention activities, thereby saving the lives of mothers and babies.
“Too many parents have experienced the loss of their child to stillbirth,” said Risch. “The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act will allow for increased research and awareness to prevent this terrible tragedy from taking more lives.”
“Stillbirth upends the lives of individuals and families from all demographics across the United States—increasing the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity, and devastating parents and families,” said Merkley. “Nearly 1 in 4 stillbirths are potentially preventable, and it is disturbing that the rate of stillbirth is considerably higher in Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women. With the tremendous advances we’ve made in modern medicine, we have the capability to do much more, and we should be doing everything we can to prevent any American from experiencing stillbirth.”
“Every life is precious,” said Cassidy. “Increasing access to stillbirth prevention saves the lives of babies and mothers.”
Recent reports and data suggest that further reduction in the incidence of stillbirth is possible, highlighting that nearly 25% of stillbirths are potentially preventable. The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act will help bring down the shockingly high rate of stillbirths and in the United States.
Alarmingly, in our nation, approximately 21,000 babies are stillborn every year. This is greater than the number of babies that die during the first year of life and more than ten times the number of babies that die annually due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
In addition to Senators Risch, Merkley, and Cassidy the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act is cosponsored by Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
Several outside groups have voiced support for the legislation, including the March of Dimes.
"Tragically, more than 21,000 babies are stillborn each year. While women of all ages and demographic backgrounds are impacted, there are longstanding and persistent racial, ethnic, age, and educational disparities, especially among Black and Native American mothers. In addition, stillbirth increases the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity and impacts the overall health and well-being of the whole family. This legislation would strengthen and enhance the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, which provides critical support to mothers and infants. To save more babies, we must focus our attention on strong and impactful prevention programs that will be implemented through this legislation," said Stacey Brayboy, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, March of Dimes.
Senate bill text can be found here.
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