Introduction of the Newborn Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act, a bill I introduced earlier today.

In Shelby County, Tennessee, there were 123 children who did not make it to their first birthday in 2016. In the United States, our infant mortality rate is comparable to countries like Bosnia, Chile, and Cuba, and a recent study found that a child is 76 percent more likely to die before their first birthday in America than in 19 other wealthy nations, including Australia, Canada, France, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

More concerning is the racial and ethnic infant mortality disparities that continue to exist. In 2015, the rates for infant mortality were over double for black infants compared to white ones.

This is unacceptable. That's why I am introducing the NEWBORN Act.

If enacted, the NEWBORN Act would create infant mortality-focused pilot programs in the highest-risk areas of the country.

The pilot programs would focus on addressing one or more of the top five reasons for infant mortality: birth defects, preterm birth and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, maternal pregnancy complications, and injuries to the infant.

The NEWBORN Act would specifically encourage the development of community-specific practices to promote pre-natal care and community outreach and education.

The current infant mortality rates are tragic, but good practices can improve health and save lives.

I urge my colleagues to help pass this bill.

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