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"I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my bill, the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act.
The United States continues to lead the world in medical innovation, development of new cures, and cutting-edge medical technology.
However, the high maternal mortality and stillbirth rate in the United States is inexcusable. Over 21,000 babies are stillborn every year, and nearly one in four stillbirths are preventable.
In the last two decades, the stillbirth rate in the United States declined by a negligible point four percent. In a report published by the World Health Organization comparing progress in improving stillbirth rates, the United States ranked 183 out of 195 countries.
Our moms and babies deserve better.
The tragedy of a stillbirth – the unexpected death of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy – is devastating to mothers and families.
Many women who endure a stillbirth have already picked out their baby’s name or started decorating a nursery. The heartbreak of stillbirth leaves an unfillable void for the families it impacts.
Stillbirth disproportionately impacts minority, rural, and underserved communities, including many communities in my home state of Iowa that are designated as maternal health care deserts.
I have heard from women in rural Iowa who drive over an hour to see their OB-GYN or visit the nearest maternal ward or hospital, and struggle to receive quality care they need throughout their pregnancy.
Ensuring expecting women have access to high quality maternal care, regardless of zip code or income level, is critical to preventing stillbirths and improving outcomes for both mother and baby.
Congress must use every tool at our disposal to end stillbirth and support stillbirth prevention, awareness, and research.
My bipartisan Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act would finally dedicate funds towards stillbirth prevention and research, saving the lives of mothers and babies.
Throughout my work on this legislation, I have had the opportunity to sit down with stillbirth prevention advocates who have turned their pain into passion.
These brave women are on a mission to ensure no mother, father, or family ever endures the tragedy of stillbirth again – and they are truly some of the strongest women I have ever met.
I have been honored to fight alongside them to bring this vital legislation across the finish line, as well as with my co-lead, Congresswoman Alma Adams. She has long fought to improve stillbirth prevention, and I’m proud to work alongside her in a bipartisan manner to support expecting moms from Iowa to North Carolina.
Additionally, this bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by dozens of women’s health, public health, and medical provider associations, and was passed in the Senate by unanimous consent.
I was blessed to spend Mother’s Day with my two sons over the weekend. But my heart ached for the women who were mourning the loss of a child they never got to meet. By passing this bill, we can make meaningful progress to reduce stillbirths, ensure expecting women receive the care they deserve, and support growing families. We can end the heartbreak of stillbirth.
I urge all my colleagues to join me in helping bring more beautiful, healthy babies into the world by supporting the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act.
Thank you, and I yield back."
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