[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 104 (Thursday, June 21, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E882-E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWBORN ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2018

  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.

[[Page E883]]

  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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