This week the March of Dimes has big news from Washington, Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Michael Bennet
(D-CO) and Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ)
introduced the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S.252/ H.R. 541)! If you don't keep up with legislation the Act is
comprehensive legislation reauthorizing critical federal research and programs
that will help identify the causes of premature births, and work to prevent
them. Thanks to your tireless efforts as advocates and supporters, we made
critical advancements moving the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act forward last year.
During the last weeks of the 112th Congress, both the U.S. House of
Representatives and U.S. Senate PASSED the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act, but it
didn't become law due to procedural entanglements. With the new Congress now
under way, we're back for our next attempt at getting this important bill
enacted into law.
After the original PREEMIE Act passed in 2006, preterm birth rates
dropped for five consecutive years after rising steadily for three
decades. Reauthorizing the PREEMIE Act will help us reach the March of
Dimes goal of lowering the preterm birth rate to 9.6 percent by 2020 and
reducing the number of infant deaths and childhood disabilities caused by
premature birth. There are encouraging signs that PREEMIE is primed for early
action in both chambers, and our Congressional champions remain committed to
securing passage of this bill into law. Your work throughout 2012
provided a firm foundation for this year, and we will likely call on you in the
coming weeks as we work to secure swift passage to ensure all babies have a
healthy start.
The March of Dimes thanks you for your continued support!
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