“The March of Dimes commends Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and Representatives Diana DeGette (D-Col.) and Ray LaHood (R-Ill) for re-introducing this important bill.  If enacted into law, the “Prevent Prematurity and Improve Child Health Act” would increase federal resources and give states more programmatic flexibility, thereby setting the stage for improved maternity services for low-income pregnant women and better health coverage for children, including those with special health care needs.

"On behalf of the March of Dimes, I want to thank these visionary elected officials for their leadership in addressing the growing problem of prematurity by improving access to coverage. Prematurity affects 480,812 babies in the U.S. each year causing disability, long-term health problems, and death in too many cases. In addition, the results of two studies just released by the March of Dimes confirm that prematurity is extremely costly, accounting for about half of all infant hospitalization charges.  Employers pay nearly 15 times more for health services provided to babies born prematurely -- in their first year of life -- than for services provided to full term babies, with an average cost of $41,610 for a premature infant vs. $2,830 for a healthy, full-term baby. Access to good maternity care, including pre-natal services, is important to reducing the number of preterm births.

“Recent Census data tell us that an alarming 11.4 percent (8.4 million) of children in this country were uninsured in 2003.  Being uninsured means that these children are almost twice as likely to go without needed preventive care services that are essential in avoiding more serious, long-term health problems.

The March of Dimes has undertaken a ten-year campaign involving an investment of at least $75 million to confront the growing problem of prematurity.  The campaign includes research to find the causes of prematurity; education for pregnant women and health professionals, support for families who have premature babies, and advocacy to generate federal and state support for research as well as improved access to health coverage.

March of Dimes volunteers and staff look forward to working with the Senate and House sponsors to obtain swift approval of these measures.”

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The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy and in 2003 launched a multi-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.