Washington, D.C.-- Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, made the following statement on the re-introduction of the "Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early" (PREEMIE) Bill. The bill was re-introduced in the U.S. Senate today and will soon be re-introduced in the U.S. House:
“Today, on behalf of the 3 million volunteers and 1400 staff of the March of Dimes working in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, I commend Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Representative Fred Upton (R-Mich.), and Representative Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) for their leadership in authoring the 'PREEMIE' BILL. If enacted, this bill would set the stage for expanding research into the causes and prevention of premature birth. In addition, the bill would increase federal support for education and health services related to prematurity.
"Premature birth is one of the most common, serious and costly problems facing America's infants. Prematurity affects more than 480,000 babies in the U.S. each year, causing disability and death in too many cases. Moreover, prematurity is costly. In 2002, for example, the total national hospital bill for premature babies was $15.5 billion. To combat this growing problem, the March of Dimes has initiated a ten-year campaign that calls for the Foundation to invest at least $75 million over the course of the next 8 years.
"Enactment of the 'PREEMIE' Bill should be a congressional priority this year. March of Dimes volunteers and staff are eager to work with Senate and House bill sponsors, and with our Prematurity Campaign Partners--the Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses--to obtain swift approval of this measure.”
