NEWBORN Act Included In Health Care Reform Bill

Statement

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced a major breakthrough in improving the rate of infant mortality. Congressman Cohen's NEWBORN Act (Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now), which addresses the growing problem of infant mortality in the U.S., has been submitted by Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) during the markup of HR 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.

"I am delighted to hear that Congressman Pallone has included the NEWBORN Act as an amendment to HR 3200. Infant mortality is a heartbreaking phenomenon that I've long been fighting to end and we are now one step closer to improving the health of our newborns," Congressman Cohen said. "I will not stop fighting to end our nation's high rate of infant mortality until the job is finished."

"Congressman Cohen has been an active and aggressive leader in Congress on this issue. I am happy we were able to work together on this important issue. The high rate of infant mortality is one of the most disturbing facts about medical care in America," Congressman Pallone said. "What makes it even more heartbreaking is that many of the cases are preventable. We should make it a national goal to eliminate infant mortality in this country in our time."

To help end the high rate of infant mortality, Congressman Cohen has proposed a national pilot program in cities with the highest rates of infant mortality. The program will focus on providing pre-natal care, community outreach and educating at-risk and potential mothers about pregnancy and infant mortality. Statistics will be gathered by the Department of Health and Human Services to help lead to a better understanding of infant mortality.

The infant mortality rate in the Ninth District is the highest in the U.S. and five times the national average at 6.86 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2005, one Memphis zip code had an infant mortality rate that was deadlier for babies than the countries of Vietnam, Iran and El Salvador. Infant mortality in the U.S. also exhibits strong racial disparities among African Americans. In 2005, African American woman lost babies 2.4 times more than white women.

"Infant mortality is an issue that needs to be addressed and brought to the forefront of our healthcare debate. It is an issue that sweeps from urban to rural communities across our entire country, but the statistics in my district are particularly troubling," Congressman Cohen said. "We must work together to lower our nation's infant mortality rate, and that starts with lowering our rate of premature births."

Congressman Cohen's proposal is deficit neutral, which means there will be no additional cost added to HR 3200.

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