South OC Times

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act (H.R. 5012), a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Dave Joyce (OH-14), and Robin Kelly (IL-02). The bill aims to reduce stillbirth rates in the United States.

The SHINE for Autumn Act proposes several measures, including federal grants for states to support data collection, assessment, and reporting on stillbirth and its risk factors. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop guidelines and educational materials in coordination with healthcare providers. Additionally, the bill incorporates a Perinatal Pathology Fellowship Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund research fellowships on stillbirth, including fetal autopsies, improved education, research, and data collection. A report on the effectiveness of this program is required five years after enactment.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stillbirth affects 1 in 170 pregnancies in the U.S., with over 21,000 babies born still each year.

"After having four kids and now watching my children start families of their own, I have experienced and seen many challenges during pregnancy," said Rep. Young Kim. "Women, moms, and families deserve our bipartisan support."

Rep. Kathy Castor emphasized the need to address maternal and infant health crises: "Nearly one out of every four stillbirths is preventable... We need to act to dramatically improve outcomes for mothers and babies."

Rep. Dave Joyce highlighted Ohio's high stillbirth rates: "We must continue to fund research to ensure no mother or family has to endure this devastating loss."

Rep. Robin Kelly stressed the importance of mitigating risks associated with stillbirth: "Every mother deserves a healthy pregnancy."

Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya, whose daughter Autumn Joy was born still on July 8, 2011, remarked on the significance of passing this legislation: "Watching the SHINE for Autumn Act finally become law will help me believe that Autumn’s life was not lost in vain."

Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Organizations supporting H.R. 5012 include March for Dimes; National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Group B Strep International; MomsRising; March for Moms; Just Actions; The Iris Fund; Three Little Birds Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support; Healthy Birth Day Inc./Count the Kicks; Shane Foundation; First Breath; Aaliyah in Action; PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy.