Hinson’s Stillbirth Prevention Bill Signed Into Law
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Hinson (IA-02) released the below statement following her bipartisan, bicameral Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act being signed into law. This legislation was introduced by Hinson in July 2023 alongside Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12).
Hinson has been a leading stillbirth prevention advocate and champion in Congress, working with stillbirth prevention advocates to raise awareness about stillbirth and expand access to federal resources to help prevent this tragedy.
“Today is a huge milestone in our fight to end stillbirth, the unexpected loss of a baby after more than 20 weeks of pregnancy. I am proud to have worked with so many incredible advocates, many of whom have endured the heartbreak of stillbirth, to bring this vital legislation across the finish line and expand federal resources for stillbirth prevention. I thank President Biden for signing this bipartisan legislation into law, and I will continue my work to improve maternal health care access for more healthy moms and healthy babies.” - Congresswoman Ashley Hinson
Background:
Stillbirth is the unexpected loss of a child after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Over 21,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. 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 0.4 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.
The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act 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, saving the lives of mothers and babies.
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