LANCE PREEMIE BILL NOW LAW

Bipartisan bill to help reduce preterm births signed into law

LANCE: “This is how Congress should work - together- on issues that make a lasting difference.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ 07) today proudly announced that his legislation, the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act, has been signed into law by the President.  The bipartisan legislation has been years in the making and marks a major success in pediatric care.

“At a time of year when we join friends and family to reflect on what we are thankful for, we are reminded of the precious gifts of life and good health.  Although the work of the families and advocates will never end, this law will have a direct and significant impact on the education and research vital to reducing preterm births.  I am very pleased that the PREEMIE Act is now law,” said Lance, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and member of the Health Subcommittee. “Our Nation's premature birth rate is one of the highest in the world, and it is the leading cause of newborn death in the United States.  This bipartisan legislation works to change that by supporting federal research and community involvement to prevent preterm birth.”

Lance partnered with Congressman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) on the bipartisan effort.  “This is how Congress should work - together- on issues that make a lasting difference, ” Lance added.

Lance’s bill will open federal research and encourage work related to preterm labor and the treatment of newborn infants.  The legislation was formed in conjunction with the national March of Dimes, the organization that has long championed this effort.  “The March of Dimes has been instrumental in this effort,” Lance added.  “Since 2006, 176,000 babies have been born closer to term because of improvements in research and success in innovation.  The end result is much to be proud of: healthier infants, intact families and billions of dollars in savings.  Its work and this law has spurred innovative research that has truly made a difference.”

“The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act will sustain the vital federal investment in promoting healthy pregnancies, healthy infants, and healthy families,” stated March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse.  “Today, one in every nine U.S. infants is born preterm.  Due to concerted efforts by the March of Dimes and our partners, this number has gone down for the past six consecutive years, but it is still too high.  The March of Dimes is deeply grateful to Rep. Leonard Lance and the other champions of the PREEMIE Act for their work to ensure that  vital research and education on the prevention of prematurity will continue.” 

The following organizations endorsed the law:

March of Dimes

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Association on Health and Disability

American College of Nurse-Midwives

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

American Public Health Association

American Thoracic Society

Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

Council of Women's and Infants' Specialty Hospitals 

First Candle

Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth

National Association of County and City Health Officials

National Association of Neonatal Nurses

Preeclampsia Foundation

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Click here to watch Lance address the House of Representatives.