Washington, D.C. – The National Governors Association welcomes the passage of the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act (S.1562/H.R.1197) and the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act (S.2621/H.R.1909). The bills were included in the bipartisan funding package approved by Congress last week.
Led by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, co-chairs of NGA’s Public Health and Emergency Management Task Force, NGA joined 250 organizations in a December letter urging passage of both bills. The legislation reauthorizes and expands research, education and intervention activities related to preterm birth, as well as strengthens federal support for Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs).
Govs. Kehoe and Stein shared the following statement:
“Far too many American families experience preterm births, which endanger babies and mothers and can lead to lifelong health problems. Research and intervention measures are critical to preventing complications in pregnancy, labor and post-delivery, and these programs have a solid track record in reducing risks, as well as addressing health disparities. Every baby deserves a healthy start in life, and we applaud Congress for taking bipartisan action.”
