The NEWBORN Act creates a new grant program to help reduce infant deaths in communities where babies die at the highest rates. The federal government will give money to health departments in states, territories, tribal nations, and local areas to tackle the main causes of infant mortality—things like birth defects, premature births, and other serious complications. The grants can be used to figure out what problems exist in each community, reach out to pregnant women and new mothers, and build better systems for care. This includes things like counseling for pregnant women and support for mothers after they give birth. Essentially, this is the federal government investing in communities that struggle the most with infant deaths, giving them resources and support to improve care before, during, and after pregnancy so more babies survive and thrive.

NEWBORN Act

Van Hollen, Chris

Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now Act or the NEWBORN Act This bill establishes a pilot program through which the Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to territorial, tribal, state, and local health departments in areas with the highest rates of infant mortality to address birth defects, premature births, and other leading causes of infant death. Funds may be used for needs assessments, outreach, and systems to improve social, educational, and clinical services, including prenatal counseling and postpartum care.