Bipartisan Coalition Introduces Legislation to Save Lives of Mothers and Children

This week, a bipartisan team introduced the Reach Every Mother and Child Act, a bold, bipartisan legislative initiative to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal, newborn and childhood deaths worldwide.

The measure was introduced by Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) .

"Every day, 16,000 children die tragic, preventable deaths before they reach the age of 5," said Congressman Reichert, the Co-Chair of the Global Health Caucus. "While infant mortality rates have decreased significantly over the past 25 years with the United States' leadership, these numbers are still heart breaking and unacceptable. With better access to care and services for mothers and children, the Reach Act will not only help families rise out of poverty, but will further efforts to decrease infant mortality, and foster stability and security around the world."

"Improving access to quality health services for mothers, children and newborns around the world must be a United States priority. The Reach Act builds on the remarkable progress the United States has already made to ensure more mothers survive child birth and that more children live to celebrate their 5th birthday," said Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Co-Chair of the Global Health Caucus. "By implementing new and cost-effective strategies, better using technology, and coordinating resources, we can reach even more families and achieve our shared global goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths within a generation. I am pleased to partner with Rep. Dave Reichert and Rep. Barbara Lee on this critical issue."

"In the past fifteen years, the international community has halved the maternal and child mortality rate. This stands as a testament to the power of global cooperation and international development," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a member of the international assistance funding subcommittee and one of the Congressional representatives to the 70th UN General Assembly. "Yet, our work is far from over. Each year, more than 1 million babies die on their very first day of life, many from preventable causes. We can and must do more to stop these unnecessary deaths. The Reach Act will save lives while creating a better world for millions."

"It is astonishing to see how much progress has been made thus far in reducing the number of preventable deaths in some of the world's most impoverished countries. However, there is still much work that needs to be done," said Congressman Michael McCaul. "I am proud to be the cosponsor of legislation that will accelerate current efforts to eliminate maternal and child deaths within a generation. By developing a strategic, evidence-based approach that effectively utilizes resources, this bill will help save the lives of millions."

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