Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. ESHOO. I thank the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, I'm very proud to rise in support of the PREEMIE Act legislation that I introduced with Congressman Leonard Lance. He's been a terrific partner not only on this legislation but on other pieces of legislation that we've moved through the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I salute him.

This bill will expand research, education, and prevention of preterm birth. As the mother of two children, I know how precious the earliest part of life is, and it's our responsibility to do everything we can to make sure that our little ones begin their lives with more than a fighting chance.

Each year, as was stated, half a million babies are born prematurely in our country, and preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn mortality and the second-leading cause of infant mortality. Babies born even a few weeks too early can require weeks to months of hospitalization after birth, and premature birth can sometimes lead to developmental delays and disability later in life.

In addition to the emotional and physical toll of prematurity, there are significant health care costs to families, to our medical systems, and our economy. A 2006 report by the Institute of Medicine found the cost associated with preterm birth in the United States was $26.2 billion annually, or $51,600 per infant born preterm. These are staggering amounts of dollars. While employers, private insurers, and individuals bear about half of the cost of health care for these infants, 40 percent is paid for by Medicaid. So it's in the best interest of healthy babies, hopeful families, and the budget of our country to decrease preterm births.

The good news is our investment in preventing prematurity is paying off. In 2006, I introduced and Congress passed the first ever comprehensive PREEMIE Act, and prematurity rates have declined since then. This is very good news. The better news is that today we're reauthorizing this law, which will build upon the momentum of the original law and provide us with new tools and knowledge to improve the lives and health of America's mothers and children.

The PREEMIE Act has been packaged with other important pediatric health bills. I thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Pitts, the chairman of our full committee, Mr. Upton, the ranking member of the full committee, as well as Mr. Pallone, and all of our colleagues.

You know very well, Madam Speaker, that we come to this place to do good things for our country that will strengthen our Nation. How proud I am that we are living up to that in presenting this bill here today.

In closing, I would also like to thank Erin Katzelnick-Wise of my staff, who has worked on this bill as if it were the most important thing she could do in her life, understanding that it is one of the most important things she could do in her life for children in our country; to the American Academy of Pediatricians, who have been so magnificent in instructing all of us in our work on this legislation; and a particular shout-out to Dr. Phil Pizzo, the dean of the Stanford School of Medicine, a pediatrician himself who at one time worked with great distinction at the National Institutes of Health.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source