Bill · S. 992· Senate(119-S-992)
NEWBORN Act
- Introduced
- 3/12/2025
- Last activity
- 3/12/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Chris Van Hollen
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now Act" or the "NEWBORN Act," aims to authorize funding for infant mortality pilot programs. These programs would be implemented in standard metropolitan statistical areas that experience high rates of infant mortality. The Secretary, through the Administrator, will award grants to eligible entities for up to five years. Preference for these grants will be given to those serving counties with the highest mortality rates or addressing specific issues like birth defects and preterm births. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2029 to support these efforts.
Yes· 3 of 12
Would children be better off under this?+8
The bill directly aims to reduce infant mortality and improve infant well-being.
Would women be better off under this?+7
The bill provides comprehensive care and support for at-risk mothers.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
It provides funding for infant mortality pilot programs to improve access to maternal and infant services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Targeted Support for High-Risk Areas: The Secretary will give preference to entities serving the 50 counties or groups of counties with the highest infant mortality rates based on recent data (Section 2, subsection (e)(3)(A)).
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Addressing Critical Health Issues: Grants can be used to address specific concerns such as birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weight, sudden infant death, maternal pregnancy complications, and injuries to infants (Section 2, subsection (e)(3)(B)).
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Comprehensive Maternal and Infant Care: Funds can support various services including postpartum care, counseling on infant care and feeding, and prevention of premature delivery (Section 2, subsection (e)(4)(C)).
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Access to Specialized Support Services: Programs may provide assistance for at-risk mothers through smoking cessation, drug and alcohol treatment, nutrition, and postpartum depression programs (Section 2, subsection (e)(4)(C)(iv)).
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Increased Outreach in Vulnerable Areas: The bill allows for the establishment of rural outreach programs to provide care to at-risk mothers in rural locations (Section 2, subsection (e)(4)(D)).
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Public Awareness: Funds can be used for regional public education campaigns to educate the public about infant mortality and prevent preterm births (Section 2, subsection (e)(4)(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Funding Limitations on Oversight: An eligible entity is prohibited from using more than 10 percent of its received grant funds for program evaluation (Section 2, subsection (e)(5)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+8Good For Women+7Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Native Americans+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Urban Residents+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7Improves Mental Health Access+6Increases Research Funding+5Improves Opioid Crisis Response+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- 3/12/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.