Merkley, Booker, Grassley, Hinson, and Adams Lead Bipartisan Push for Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness

Merkley, Booker, Grassley, Hinson, and Adams Lead Bipartisan Push for Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness September 16, 2026 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) partnered with U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19, 2026, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day. With almost one-fourth of stillbirths being potentially preventable, this resolution stresses the importance of advancing evidence-based stillbirth prevention efforts in the United States. “Every parent who experiences a stillbirth deserves support and clear action. Stillbirth remains a heartbreaking and preventable public health crisis, with Black, Native, and Hispanic families facing disproportionately high rates of loss,” said Merkley. “Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we cannot let up. This National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we must keep pushing for necessary action to save lives and spare families this devastating loss.” “Every year, more than 20,000 families in the United States experience a stillbirth, and too many of these losses may be preventable,” said Booker. “Losing a baby to stillbirth is devastating, and on National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we stand with the families who have experienced this profound loss and recommit ourselves to preventing stillbirth wherever possible. By investing in research, improving data collection, raising awareness, and strengthening access to high-quality maternal health care, we can better understand the causes of stillbirth, reduce preventable losses, and support healthier pregnancies.” “No family should have to endure the heartbreak of a stillbirth. While states like Iowa have made progress at reducing stillbirths, there’s still much more to be done to strengthen maternal healthcare, especially in rural areas, to help prevent these tragedies. Our bipartisan resolution raises awareness and promotes research to help target contributing factors and save babies’ lives,” said Grassley. “Improving prenatal education and access to maternal care—especially in rural areas where women may travel over an hour to see a provider—is critical to protecting babies and reducing maternal deaths. Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was a major step, but more must be done to support expecting moms and prevent stillbirths. I’m proud to reintroduce this resolution recognizing September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day and will continue working across the aisle to end the tragedy of stillbirth,” said Hinson. “It has already taken way too long for Congress to wake up to the tragedy that is our country’s stillbirth crisis,” said Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “We have made some great progress, but there is so much more to be done. We already have many innovative solutions to reduce stillbirth — our country just hasn’t invested in them at a national scale. We can, and we must do better for our moms.” According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, one out of every 183 U.S. births—more than 20,000 per year—tragically results in a stillbirth, which is more stillbirths annually than the number of babies who pass away during their first year of life. Parents who experience stillbirth are also at an increased risk for severe maternal morbidity, depression, and mortality. In the Senate, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Angus King (I-ME), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). In the House, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01). The bipartisan, bicameral resolution is supported by 46 organizations, including Healthy Birth Day, Inc., March of Dimes, and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. A full list of supporting organizations can be found by clicking here . “Nearly five thousand babies’ lives could be saved annually through greater focus on stillbirth prevention efforts. National Stillbirth Prevention & Awareness Day is an opportunity to address the urgent stillbirth crisis in the U.S. and share free resources and tools like Count the Kicks which are saving lives. Our message to the country: it doesn’t have to be this way ,” said Emily Price, Healthy Birth Day, Inc. CEO. “The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses applauds Senator Jeff Merkley for introducing the National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day Resolution and for elevating awareness of an issue that affects thousands of families across the United States each year. Stillbirth is a devastating