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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Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the nonprofit organization that created the Count the Kicks stillbirth prevention program, is proud to be the primary stakeholder of The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, which was signed by President Biden on July 12, 2024. This is a critical piece of legislation that adds 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 passed in the United States Senate by unanimous consent on Sept. 30, 2023. On May 15, 2024 the House companion legislation (H.R. 4581) passed the House of Representatives on a bipartisan vote of 408-3. On June 11, 2024, the House version of the bill was approved by the Senate on unanimous consent. The Stillbirth Prevention Act was signed by President Biden on July 12, 2024 and is now law.
The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act was a bipartisan, bicameral bill. The co-leads in Congress were 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.
The Biden-Harris Administration hosted a panel discussion on stillbirth at the White House complex on July 8, 2024, to increase awareness about its efforts to address the crisis of stillbirth in the U.S. The discussion coincided with the passage of the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act.
Stillbirth prevention advocates and members of the Healthy Birth Day, Inc. team were invited to participate in the panel discussion, which was held in Vice President Harris’ ceremonial office. Panel speakers included Healthy Birth Day, Inc. CEO Emily Price, Count the Kicks Ambassador Tomkea Isaac and her husband Brandon, founders of Jace’s Journey, and Healthy Birth Day, Inc. Board Member Rose L. Horton.
On this day we were able to tell maternal health leaders at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Human Resources Services Administration (HRSA) what is possible when we invest in stillbirth prevention, and urge them to do more.
Learn more about the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act and join us in supporting this important stillbirth prevention legislation.
Read the bill, follow its progress and explore ways to get involved in stillbirth prevention.
The following organizations have endorsed the bill:
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.
Learn MoreSHINE 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.
Learn More
It is unacceptable that 21,000+ U.S. families will lose their baby to stillbirth this year. No pregnancy is immune. Stillbirths occur to women of all races, ethnicities, income levels, and ages. There are longstanding and persistent racial and ethnic disparities, with Black families experiencing stillbirths at two times the rate of their White counterparts.
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.
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