Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act

REINSTATEMENT OF RICHARDSON WAIVER: Since 1971, the Richardson Waiver has ensured that Health and Human Services rulemaking related to agency management, grants, benefits, contracts, and loans are subject to public notice and comment. This longstanding, bipartisan practice promotes transparency and allows for meaningful stakeholder input in health care policymaking. Earlier this year, HHS announced it would reverse this precedent, ending its practice of soliciting public comments on the full array of proposed rules. In contrast to the transparency that this Administration has promised, this shift undermines the inclusive, evidence-based feedback process that is essential to sound health policy. In response, organizations are signing on in support of this Congressional Review Act resolution to reinstate the Richardson Waiver, put forward by Senators King and Wyden. Sent to Senate. PREEMIE ACT (H.R. 1197) AND PREVENTING MATERNAL DEATHS ACT (S.2621/H.R.1909): Letter to Congress strongly urging passage of the PREEMIE ACT AND PREVENTING MATERNAL DEATHS ACT to reauthorize and expand research, education and intervention activities related to preterm birth, along the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act (PMDA) which would strengthen federal support for Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs). Both of these bills passed the House and Senate HELP Committee by near unanimous votes during the 118th Congress. The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the developed world. HEALTHY START REAUTHORIZATION ACT (H.R. 3302) - INTERFAITH STATEMENT (Sent to Congress): Healthy Start-the USAs only federally funded, community-driven program solely focused on reducing infant mortality-is under immediate threat. Last week, the Administration terminated the entire staff of the Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services (DHSPS) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This action effectively dismantles the federal infrastructure that supports Healthy Start, undermining decades of progress in maternal and infant health-at a time when infant mortality is rising, with Mississippi declaring a public health emergency due to a sharp increase in infant deaths. The statement signed by interfaith advocacy groups calls for the reversal of these terminations, full funding for Healthy Start, and swift passage of the Healthy Start Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3302). IMPACTS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES (ACIP) DECISION ON HEPATITIS B - BIRTH DOSE: Letter endorsing Reps. Chu and Schrier's letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that they examine the projected public-health, economic, and equity impacts if the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) were to adopt ACIPs decision to not recommend the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth to all infants.