Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2007

HEALTHY START REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - September 23, 2008)

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise this evening in support of S. 1760, the Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2007. The Healthy Start Program was developed in 1991 in order to combat alarming rates of infant mortality and racial disparities in maternal and infant health. It has grown from a small demonstration project with 15 grantees to an impressive 97 grantees in 2005. Healthy Start has since expanded its targeted population to include women and infants through 2 years postpartum.

S. 1760 promotes grant applications that facilitate a community-based approach to the delivery of services and a comprehensive approach to women's health care to improve perinatal outcomes. S. 1760 also ensures the Secretary is not prohibited from addressing disparities in perinatal health indicators in communities along the U.S.-Mexico border and in Alaska and Hawaii.

This legislation reauthorizes appropriations through 2013 for the Healthy Start Initiative. The Healthy Start Program has made great strides in combating infant mortality and in improving maternal and infant health. With increased resources, the Healthy Start Program will be able to continue its important role in improving maternal and infant health outcomes and in reducing health disparities.

I want to particularly thank Representative Towns and Representative Upton for all of their hard work on this legislation. Messrs. Towns and Upton introduced the House companion to S. 1760, and both have been huge advocates for the Healthy Start Program and for its reauthorization.

S. 1760 passed the Senate by unanimous consent on April 30, 2008. I urge its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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