Preemie Reauthorization Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023, which will reauthorize critical programs to expand research and education into premature birth prevention.

Every year, 10 percent of babies are born prematurely, putting them and their mothers at an increased risk of complicated health problems.

In 2022, there were over 380,000 preterm births, and every year, almost 20,000 babies in the United States will die before their first birthday, many of them from complications of premature birth. Unfortunately, Georgia has one of the highest preterm birth rates in the country.

Babies born prematurely shouldn't be at a disadvantage because of a lack of resources. Every single baby born deserves a healthy start and a fair chance at life.

That is why it is so important for us to reauthorize the PREEMIE Act, which will continue lifesaving research to prevent premature births and give mothers and babies healthy starts in both motherhood and life.

The bipartisan effort will reauthorize critical Federal research, education, and intervention activities to reduce preterm birth and infant mortality.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the reauthorization of this bill and support maternal health.

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