Representative Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-O2) has signed on as a co-sponsor for H.R. 7011, The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act. 

This bipartisan bill was first introduced by Reps. Ashley Hinson (IA-02) and Alma Adams (NC-12), will allow for existing federal grants to be used for stillbirth prevention activities along with greater access to care for an expecting mother.

The legislation contains a variety of statistics that show the bill’s need, such as “1 in 169 births, 2 are affected by stillbirth each year amounting 3 to 23,5000 stillbirths annually, of which 6,9000 of 4 of these are Black or African-Ameican still births-annual stillbirths are more than 9 times the number of annual deaths due to SIDS.” 

“As a mother and a physician, I want to guarantee that our mothers have the support they need during this important time in their lives. Every child deserves a chance at life and mothers should not have their lives at risk during pregnancy,” said Miller-Meeks. “Ensuring that more babies are born alive and that our mothers survive pregnancy needs to be a priority. Making the investments and increasing access to stillbirth prevention services will save lives.”

Representative Marrianete Miller-Meeks is a physician and a veteran in the United States Army who had won a competitive race for Iowa’s Senate District 41.