South OC Times

U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) has been recognized as a Stillbirth Prevention Champion by Healthy Birth Day, Inc. for her leadership on the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act (H.R. 5012). This bipartisan, bicameral bill aims to enhance stillbirth research and awareness.

"Supporting women, babies, and families is personal to me after experiencing the difficulties of pregnancy firsthand and seeing my children face challenges as they start families of their own," said Congresswoman Kim, who co-chairs the bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus. "I’m humbled to receive the Stillbirth Prevention Champion Award from Healthy Birth Day, Inc. for leading the bipartisan SHINE for Autumn Act to improve education, research, and resources needed to reduce stillbirths and save lives. I’ll keep fighting for commonsense policies that improve the quality of and access to maternal care."

Emily Price, CEO of Healthy Birth Day, Inc., emphasized the importance of recognizing stillbirth prevention efforts: "For the third year in a row, we pause to recognize the crisis of stillbirth in this country and celebrate progress on stillbirth prevention efforts. When Congress recognizes this important day, when buildings and bridges are lit up across the country, and moms and dads make their voices heard through OpEds and media interviews — progress happens and lives are saved. We mourn the tens of thousands of babies who should be with their families right now and accelerate progress so no other family has to endure the tragedy of stillbirth."

The SHINE for Autumn Act passed the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee in March.

In addition to her work on this act, Rep. Kim has championed several maternal health priorities as co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus:

- Addressing nurse workforce shortages through the National Nursing Workforce Center Act (H.R. 2411).

- Providing resources for domestic violence victims via the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 2604), which she also supported in previous Congresses along with the Violence Against Women Act (H.R. 1620).

- Leading a letter urging updates on the effectiveness of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

- Enhancing outcomes for screening and treatment of maternal mental health and substance use disorders.

- Securing key maternity care priorities in FY24 appropriations.

- Highlighting concerns about maternity mortality rates in the United States.