In September 2013, the United States Senate passed the PREEMIE (Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early) Reauthorization Act (S. 252). This bill, which “reauthorizes federal research, education and intervention activities related to preterm birth”, was sponsored by Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander in February of this year.
With co-sponsors from Colorado to Rhode Island, the bill authorizes the CDC to conduct studies on factors related to prematurity; conduct activities to improve national data used for tracking preterm births; and continue efforts to identify opportunities for prematurity prevention.
The bill advocates for strategies to educate health care professionals and the general public on the core risk factors for preterm birth; the importance of preconception health and prenatal care; and treatments & outcomes for preemies. In addition to the measures related to prematurity, the bill also authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality.
The LRN Group 