As a concerned constituent, I am writing you today to respectfully urge you to cosponsor the SHINE for Autumn Act, in honor of the tens of thousands of babies stillborn each year in the United Sates. On July 27th, 2023 the bipartisan and bicameral Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act (H.R.5012/S.2647) was introduced into the 118th Congress by Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40), Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14), Congressman David P. Joyce (OH-14), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). According to the CDC, stillbirth is a public health crisis with over 21,000 babies born still every year in our country—that is approximately 60 babies dying every day. Each one of those numbers represents a life lost, and a family that has been forever changed. Many of these deaths are preventable, and are occurring in seemingly healthy, low-risk pregnancies. Stillbirths occur in all races, ethnicities, income levels, and to women of all ages. However, there are longstanding and persistent racial and ethnic disparities, with Black and Native American families experiencing stillbirths at more than two times the rate of their white counterparts. Despite medical advances, U.S. stillbirth rates have hardly changed over the past 30 years. Even more concerning is the global comparison of our progress in reducing stillbirth rates. In the last two decades, the U.S. stillbirth rate has remained frustratingly the same, putting our progress at 183rd out of 195 countries globally. Even with numbers like these stillbirth remains one of the most underfunded and understudied public health issues today. And this is precisely why the SHINE for Autumn Act is so important. To address stillbirth rates, we must have accurate and timely data to help understand the underlying causes of stillbirth and identify strategies for prevention. This bill aims to prevent stillbirth through enhanced data collection, research, education, and awareness, building for the first time a true federal-state partnership to reduce the incidence of stillbirth in the United States. This vital piece of legislation would be the beginning of a longer-term solution to prevent and reduce stillbirths, in addition to improving maternal and infant health in the U.S. To put it simply, it’s a win/win! There’s no time to waste. We must do better for our future moms and babies. And we can, with the comprehensive and noncontroversial bipartisan SHINE for Autumn Act! The time is NOW to bring stillbirth out of the shadows once and for all! Please cosponsor the SHINE for Autumn Act to prevent other families from our great state and nationwide, from experiencing the grief and trauma of stillbirth. Thank you for your consideration of my request!

As a concerned constituent, I am writing you today to urge you to cosponsor the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act (S.3972). Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently introduced this critical piece of bipartisan legislation that would focus on preventing stillbirth through enhanced data collection, analysis, reporting, and research. Tragically, according to the CDC, 23,500 babies are stillborn every year in the United States. That is nearly 65 babies dying every day! According to the CDC, the annual number of stillbirths far exceeds the number of deaths among children aged 0-14 years from prematurity, SIDS, car accidents, drowning, guns, fire, poison, and flu COMBINED. Even more concerning is the global comparison of our progress in reducing stillbirth rates. In the last two decades, the U.S. stillbirth rate has remained frustratingly the same, putting our progress at 183rd out of 195 countries globally. Studies have shown a tremendous return on investment for reducing stillbirths. Efforts to improve stillbirth rates will show a reduction in maternal morbidity, mortality, and newborn complications. Furthermore, like other maternal health issues, there are also longstanding and persistent racial disparities that must be addressed with Black and Native American families experiencing stillbirths at two times the rate of their white counterparts. Despite these numbers, stillbirth remains one of the most underfunded and understudied public health issues today. And this is precisely why the SHINE for Autumn Act is so important. This vital piece of legislation would be the beginning of a longer-term solution to prevent and reduce stillbirths, in addition to improving maternal/infant health in the U.S. To put it simply, it’s a win/win! Please consider cosponsoring the SHINE for Autumn Act and helping us to bring this tragic maternal and family health crisis out of the shadows once and for all!