“Today, on behalf of 3 million active volunteers and 1400 staff of the March of Dimes working in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, I commend Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY), Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), and the 38 Senate cosponsors for their leadership in advancing the 'PREEMIE' bill.  If enacted this bill would call for expansion of federal research into the causes and prevention of premature birth.  In addition, the bill calls for the convening of a Surgeon General's conference on preterm birth to establish a public-private agenda that will speed the development of prevention strategies for preterm labor and delivery.

"Premature birth is one of the most common, serious and costly problems facing America's infants, affecting more than 500,000 babies in the U.S. each year, and causing disability and death in too many cases.  Moreover, prematurity carries a heavy financial cost.  In 2003, for example, the total national hospital bill for premature babies was $18.1 billion, 44% of which was billed to employers and other private plans and 49% to Medicaid. Enactment of the 'PREEMIE' bill should be a congressional priority this year.  March of Dimes volunteers and staff stand ready to assist Senate and House bill sponsors to obtain swift approval of this measure.”

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.

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