Preemie Reauthorization Act of 2023

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 3226, the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023. This bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Eshoo, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, plays a crucial role in improving the care and outcomes for premature babies and their families.

According to the March of Dimes, about 383,000 premature babies were born in the United States last year. These babies oftentimes have more health problems or need to stay in the hospital longer than full-term babies. Some premature babies also face long-term health effects like problems that affect the brain, lungs, hearing, or vision.

Reauthorization of the PREEMIE program will help us to better understand the cause of preterm birth and what more can be done to prevent preterm births.

In 2006, Congress passed the PREEMIE Act, which marked a significant milestone by pioneering a comprehensive public-private national agenda aimed at spurring innovative research initiatives.

In 2013 and then again in 2018, we reauthorized 5-year extensions to the program to continue our country's commitment to address preterm birth through Federal research, promoting known interventions and successful community outreach programs.

With this legislation today, we will reauthorize key programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration. These programs support research and programs on preterm birth, improved tracking of national data, and activities aimed at promoting healthy pregnancies and preventing preterm birth.

H.R. 3226 also provides for the study of the costs, impact of social factors, and gaps in public health programs that lead to prematurity, providing us with more vital information. It also calls for the Department of Health and Human Services to make recommendations to Congress to prevent preterm birth.

Importantly, the legislation establishes an interagency working group at HHS to coordinate all Federal activities and programs related to preterm birth, infant mortality, and other adverse birth outcomes.

Again, I thank Representative Eshoo for her leadership on this legislation. I know that she always takes leadership, particularly on issues that affect the healthcare of children.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation to make a significant impact in the fight against preterm birth complications in all of our districts and communities.

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Mr. PALLONE. Eshoo), the ranking member of our Subcommittee on Health.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask for support of the bill on a bipartisan basis. Obviously, reauthorizing and expanding this program for preemies is very important for children.

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