Cedar Rapids Today

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) announced today the House passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act. This legislation was introduced by Hinson in July 2023 alongside Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12). Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"Stillbirth is a preventable tragedy that has devastated too many families, and the stillbirth rate in the U.S. is unacceptably high. This bipartisan pro-life legislation will help improve maternal care options to save moms and babies and end the heartbreak of stillbirth," stated Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.

Rep. Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, added, “For too long, stillbirth has been a silent crisis. Over 21,000 babies are stillborn every year... We owe it to our mothers to reduce or remove the unnecessary risks that have made pregnancy unsafe...the Stillbirth Prevention Act will address this injustice so more mothers and babies experience a healthy birth."

Senator Jeff Merkley emphasized that this public health crisis affects Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities at disproportionately higher rates. He applauded the House for passing this bill to ensure robust federal resources go towards stillbirth prevention activities and research.

Senator Bill Cassidy echoed these sentiments stating, "Every life is precious. We can save lives by improving access to stillbirth prevention."

“The U.S. medical community should be able to use federal resources to advance evidence-based stillbirth prevention efforts... I’ll be working alongside my House and Senate colleagues to get this legislation to the president’s desk,” said Senator Chuck Grassley.

Emily Price, Healthy Birth Day Inc.'s CEO praised Congresswomen Ashley Hinson and Alma Adams for their leadership on helping make stillbirth a maternal health tragedy of the past.

Stacey Y. Brayboy, March of Dimes Sr. Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs expressed her pleasure at the House passing the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act (S.2231/H.R.4581). She thanked Representatives Alma Adams and Ashley Hinson for their leadership on this legislation and looked forward to seeing it signed by President Biden soon.

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. 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.