The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act

Stillbirth prevention advocates stand with Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in May 2023.

The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act is a critical piece of legislation that would add stillbirth and stillbirth prevention to Title V of the Social Security Act — something that has been lacking since the introduction of Title V funding back in 1935. Our organization helped initiate the legislation after discovering the omission of stillbirth from the most important piece of maternal health legislation in our country.

The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act is a bipartisan, bicameral bill. The co-leads in Congress are Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-North Carolina), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana). Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the nonprofit organization that created the Count the Kicks stillbirth prevention campaign, is proud to be the primary stakeholder of this important stillbirth prevention legislation.

We invite you to learn more and join us in supporting this important stillbirth prevention legislation.

The following organizations have endorsed the bill:

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Support the Stillbirth Prevention Act

Read the bill and explore ways to get involved in supporting stillbirth prevention legislation in America.

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Stillbirth Fact Sheet
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Stillbirth Prevention Legislation

SHINE for Autumn Act

Healthy Birth Day, Inc. is a proud endorser of the SHINE for Autumn Act, which was introduced in both houses of Congress on July 27, 2023.

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Stillbirth Prevention Legislation

SHINE for Autumn Act

Healthy Birth Day, Inc. is a proud endorser of the SHINE for Autumn Act, which was introduced in both houses of Congress on July 27, 2023.

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National Stillbirth Prevention Day

National Stillbirth Prevention Day was first recognized by Congress on Sept. 19, 2022. This day of awareness honors the tens of thousands of American families who lose a baby to stillbirth every year. The resolution asks Congress to resolve to do all it can to prevent the tragedy of stillbirth from happening to more families. In 2023, bipartisan resolutions designating Sept. 19 as National Stillbirth Prevention Day were introduced in the 118th Congress.

National Stillbirth Prevention Day is an opportunity to increase public awareness about the more than 21,000 babies who are stillborn in the U.S. every year, to promote stillbirth research and prevention, and to provide community to the many Americans who have experienced stillbirth.

National Stillbirth Prevention Day is Sept. 19.
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Request a proclamation for National Stillbirth Prevention Day
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Buildings will be illuminated on Sept. 19 in honor of National Stillbirth Prevention Day
Lights for Stillbirth Prevention
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We want to thank Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-North Carolina), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) for leading this Resolution.

Thank you to all of the organizations, advocates and elected officials who helped make this day a reality!

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Stillbirth in the U.S.

15 Times More Common than SIDS

It is unacceptable that 21,000+ U.S. families will lose their baby to stillbirth this year. In 2021, families in the U.S. were 15 times more likely to lose a baby to stillbirth than to SIDS.

Impact of Stillbirth in the U.S.
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ProPublica: Stillbirth Series by Duaa Eldeib
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Without your help this silent crisis is only going to get worse. We have solutions to save babies NOW. Reach out to Congress today and urge them to support stillbirth prevention legislation.

Stillbirth Prevention Legislative Coalition Meeting

Both the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act and the SHINE for Autumn Act and have the potential to achieve life-saving results but it will take a full coalition effort to get them signed into law. Your voice – every voice – matters and must be heard.

In this recording of the stillbirth prevention legislative coalition meeting held on July 31, 2023, you can learn more about ways we can work together to push forward our efforts to ensure the 118th Congress takes action on stillbirth prevention legislation this year.

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