Bill 118 HR 4581, also known as the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024, aims to address the issue of stillbirths in the United States. The bill focuses on improving maternal and child health outcomes by implementing strategies to prevent stillbirths and provide support for families who have experienced this tragic loss.
The key provisions of the bill include:
1. Establishing a national stillbirth prevention program within the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate research, education, and outreach efforts related to stillbirth prevention.
2. Providing grants to states, local governments, and non-profit organizations to support stillbirth prevention initiatives, including research on risk factors and interventions, education for healthcare providers and pregnant individuals, and support services for families affected by stillbirth.
3. Requiring healthcare providers to offer stillbirth prevention education and counseling to pregnant individuals, including information on risk factors, warning signs, and strategies to reduce the risk of stillbirth.
4. Improving data collection and reporting on stillbirths to better understand the prevalence and causes of stillbirths and identify trends over time.
Overall, the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024 aims to reduce the incidence of stillbirths in the United States through a comprehensive approach that includes research, education, and support services for families. By addressing this important public health issue, the bill seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes and support families who have experienced the loss of a stillborn child.