Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Legislation to Reduce Stillbirth Incidence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of H.R.5012 Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act, which seeks to address the stagnant rate of stillbirths in the United States. 

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-50) and has 70 cosponsors, including 26 Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

In the United States, one in 170 pregnancies results in a stillborn child each year, resulting in more than 21,000 stillbirths annually. Despite advances in medicine, the stillbirth rate has not improved in thirty years. The Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act aims to combat this issue by allocating grant funding to collect data and improve educational materials and guidelines. The legislation would also create a Perinatal Pathology Fellowship Program focused on improving education, research, and data collection on stillbirth.

“Stillbirth affects 1 in 170 pregnancies, with over 21,000 babies born still every year in the U.S. As a mother and grandmother, I have experienced and witnessed firsthand the hardships of pregnancy and know how difficult it is for mothers and families to lose a baby. Through stillbirth research and education, we can raise awareness of this public health crisis and save lives,” said Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40), who serves as co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus. “I’m thrilled the SHINE for Autumn Act is gaining momentum with the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus and support of over 60 bipartisan cosponsors. I am proud to lead this commonsense bill and will keep fighting to get this across the finish line. I’ll always be an unwavering voice for women, moms, and families.”  

“Our country’s high stillbirth rate is a serious crisis that’s led to pain and grief for thousands of Washington families. While other nations have made progress reducing these tragedies, the rate of stillbirth in the United States has remained the same over the past few decades,” said Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). “More than one in four of these deaths could be preventable – and the bipartisan SHINE for Autumn Act would make reduction through research and education a priority. The endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus is an important step forward for this critical legislation, and I’ll continue working with my bipartisan colleagues to get this done.”

“This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is an important step to help women and their families avoid a tragedy. Almost one in four stillbirths are potentially preventable – this bill takes a commonsense approach to help states assess and prevent stillbirths with investments in key grants and research programs,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m glad that the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the bipartisan SHINE for Autumn Act.”

“Over 20,000 babies are stillborn every year, and our government has not prioritized research and awareness around this tragic trend that affects families nationwide,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “The bipartisan Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act will boost education, awareness, and research around stillbirths through a federal-state partnership in hopes of reducing the amount of annual stillbirths.”

“Stillbirths continue causing far too much heartbreak for women and families. As a mom, it’s frustrating to see that more progress hasn’t been made towards preventing them,” Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) said. “The SHINE for Autumn Act will take long overdue steps to help reduce stillbirths and address associated risks. I’m honored to support this bipartisan legislation as we fight to lower the stillbirth rate, which has remained the same for three decades.”

“As a father to six, addressing health issues facing both mothers and their babies is personal. The bipartisan SHINE for Autumn Act is an important effort to ensure we have the tools, data, and education to prevent stillbirths. With 25 percent of stillbirths being avoidable, the federal government should leverage its capabilities to provide the necessary resources to end this tragic loss of life,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06).

“Infant and maternal mortality rates remain unacceptably high across eastern North Carolina and the nation,” said Congressman Don Davis (NC-01). “The SHINE for Autumn Act is critical bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will improve data collection and research and establish a state-federal partnership to reduce stillbirth rates. Congress must act on behalf of families counting on us to help save lives.”

“Ohio has one of the country’s highest stillbirth rates, outpacing the national average and failing to show meaningful signs of improvement,” said Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14). “The SHINE for Autumn Act takes a critical step in stillbirth prevention by funding enhanced research, training, and awareness of this issue and equipping healthcare providers with tools to help prevent it. As a co-lead of the bill, I am proud to see my Problem Solvers colleagues endorse this legislation to help prevent this avoidable loss of life.” 

“This bipartisan bill will help close a critical racial and ethnic divide in our health care system, as women of color are more than twice as likely to experience neonatal deaths and stillbirth,” said Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13). “In the wealthiest country in the world, it’s past time we invest in research, resources, and training to address this crisis head-on.”

“Thousands of families and mothers across the country experience stillbirths each year, and many are preventable,” said Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03). “The bipartisan SHINE for Autumn Act will increase funding for stillborn research so we can prevent this devastating pain for future parents. I'm glad that the Problem Solvers Caucus is coming together to advocate on behalf of such an important cause that impacts Americans in every corner of our nation.”

“We are long overdue to adequately address the stillbirth crisis. In Virginia and across the country, far too many families still experience these deeply personal tragedies, even in our medically advanced and highly developed society,” said Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07). “The bipartisan SHINE for Autumn Act would help reduce the number of stillbirths in America by investing in stronger data collection, increasing awareness, and providing more tools to support new parents. I want to thank my colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus for their commitment to responding to this urgent issue of public health.”

“Ohio has one of the highest rates of infant mortality in the nation. The SHINE For Autumn Act will help reduce preventable stillbirths by investing in much-needed research, supporting our healthcare workers, and helping families have healthy pregnancies. I’m grateful to join my fellow Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues on this meaningful legislation that will save lives in our communities,” said Congresswoman Emilia Sykes (OH-13).

The full text of the bill can be found here.

The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-four Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.

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