“Today, on behalf of the 3 million volunteers and 1400 staff of the March of Dimes working in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, I commend Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Representative Fred Upton (R-Mich.), and Representative Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) for their leadership in authoring the 'PREEMIE' BILL. If enacted, this bill would set the stage for expanding research into the causes and prevention of premature birth. In addition, the bill would increase federal support for education and health services related to prematurity.
"Premature birth is one of the most common, serious and costly problems facing America's infants. Prematurity affects more than 480,000 babies in the U.S. each year, causing disability and death in too many cases. Moreover, prematurity is costly. In 2002, for example, the total national hospital bill for premature babies was $15.5 billion. To combat this growing problem, the March of Dimes has initiated a ten-year campaign that calls for the Foundation to invest at least $75 million over the course of the next 8 years.
"Enactment of the 'PREEMIE' Bill should be a congressional priority this year. March of Dimes volunteers and staff are eager to work with Senate and House bill sponsors, and with our Prematurity Campaign Partners--the Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses--to obtain swift approval of this measure.”
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy and in 2003 launched a multi-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.
