McClellan, Kiggans, Eshoo, and Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Designate November as Prematurity Awareness Month

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswomen Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02), Anna Eshoo (CA-16), and Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced H.Res. 874, a bipartisan resolution to designate November as Prematurity Awareness Month. 

The U.S. has one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates out of any high-income nation. According to the recently released 2023 March Of Dimes Report Card: The State of Maternal And Infant Health for American Families, the U.S. had only a modest 1% improvement in the preterm birth rate. The U.S. maintains a D+ grade for a second consecutive year, with data showing persistent and compounding gaps in health equity that put moms and babies at risk. 

“The United States has an infant and maternal health crisis, and we know communities of color face greater health disparities and alarmingly higher rates of preterm birth,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. “I almost died while giving birth to my daughter, Samantha, who was born nine weeks prematurely and spent six weeks in the NICU. We must continue fighting to improve health outcomes and close longstanding disparities. Our children’s lives depend on it. While in the Virginia General Assembly, I led the charge to designate November as Prematurity Awareness Month in Virginia. I am happy to continue those efforts at the federal level, and I am grateful to this bipartisan group of women lawmakers for their efforts.” 

“As a primary care provider, I’m thankful for the positive strides that have been made in recent years to understand and prevent premature births, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, Vice-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “In 2021, one in ten babies in the U.S. was born prematurely. I’m proud to join Congresswoman McClellan in introducing this resolution to bring awareness to this important issue, support expectant mothers, and ensure every child has a healthy start to life.”

"While the United States has made some miraculous medical advancements, the number of mothers and babies who die or suffer severe complications is still increasing. This crisis disproportionately impacts Black mothers and babies. I’m proud to join my colleagues to recognize Prematurity Awareness Month to bring attention to the urgent need for improved maternal and infant health care in our nation. Congress must commit to ensuring that every child has the opportunity for a strong and healthy start in life,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust. 

“Every baby deserves the best possible start in life, but for too many in the U.S. that isn’t the case. Our 2023 Report Card shows that the U.S. preterm birth rate stands at 10.4%, a meager improvement from last year’s historic high of 10.5%. It’s unacceptable that more than 380,000 babies are still born too sick and too soon each year,” said Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, President and CEO at March of Dimes. “We commend Representative Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) and co-lead sponsors Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Robin Kelly (D-IL) for introducing the House Prematurity Awareness Month resolution shining the spotlight on this devastating public health care issue. Their leadership will go a long way in helping us increase our investment in research and community support to help families affected by an early birth.”

Read the full text of H.Res. 874 here. Read the March of Dimes 2023 Report Card here.