Overview
Title
To reauthorize the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 1197 is like a plan to help understand and improve how babies who are born early are cared for and why they are born early. It wants to keep studying this important topic and help doctors and scientists work together to find better ways to care for these tiny babies from 2025 to 2029.
Summary AI
H. R. 1197, known as the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025, aims to extend and amend existing legislation focusing on research and education related to premature births. This bill proposes funding from 2025 to 2029 for studying preterm labor, improving care for preterm infants, and understanding factors influencing premature birth rates. It also mandates the establishment of an interagency group within 18 months and requires a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on premature births, which would assess financial costs, risk factors, and potential improvements in maternal and infant health care.
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AnalysisAI
The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 is a legislative proposal aiming to extend support for research and education related to preterm labor and delivery, as well as the care and treatment of preterm and low birthweight infants. The bill proposes to renew funding, establish a working group, and commission a comprehensive study on premature births.
General Summary of the Bill
The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to reauthorize efforts originally initiated by the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act. It seeks to extend government funding for relevant research activities from the years 2025 to 2029. The bill mandates the establishment of an interagency working group within 18 months of its enactment to foster coordination across departments concerning preterm birth issues. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collaborate with the National Academies of Sciences to investigate a range of factors associated with premature births and report findings to Congress.
Summary of Significant Issues
Funding Gap for 2024: The bill amends previous legislation to extend funding to 2029 but overlooks the fiscal year 2024. This omission potentially creates a one-year gap in research funding, potentially complicating continuity and advancement in preterm birth research and interventions.
Delayed Working Group Establishment: The requirement to form an interagency working group within 18 months is seen as unnecessarily slow, possibly stalling coordinated efforts and timely policy response.
Breadth of the Study: The scope of the proposed study by the National Academies is broad and includes several complex topics related to anemia of prematurity in infants. This comprehensive approach may result in high costs and lengthy timelines, possibly delaying crucial insights.
Resource Allocation for the Study: A lack of specified funding within the bill raises concerns over the adequacy of resources to complete the extensive requirements set forth for the National Academies. Insufficient funding can hinder the execution of the study and resultant report effectively.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
The reauthorization and continuation of research funding have broad implications for addressing public health challenges associated with preterm births. These research activities could lead to better intervention strategies enhancing maternal and infant health outcomes in the long term.
For parents and families, the bill may represent a positive step towards uncovering and addressing the causes and consequences of preterm births. Improved research could lead to more effective interventions and support systems, which are crucial during the vulnerable post-discharge phase.
For healthcare providers and the scientific community, continued funding supports ongoing research and potentially introduces new methodologies or treatments enhancing patient care. The establishment of a working group might facilitate shared best practices and operational strategies.
For policymakers and government agencies, the legislation poses both an opportunity and a challenge. While the extension of research funding and emphasis on interagency collaboration is beneficial, the effectiveness of these initiatives hinges on addressing the highlighted issues, especially around funding gaps and implementation delays.
Overall, while the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act seeks to bolster efforts against preterm births, close attention must be paid to the funding mechanisms and timelines to ensure its potential benefits are fully realized.
Issues
The amendment of Section 3(e) to extend funding for research from 'fiscal years 2025 through 2029' excludes the fiscal year 2024, potentially creating a gap in funding and impacting ongoing preterm birth research and interventions. This gap might delay critical research outcomes and affect continuity in addressing preterm birth issues. (Section 2(a))
The requirement for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an interagency working group within 18 months after the enactment of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 (Section 2(b)) may result in unnecessary delays. Given the importance of timely coordination, this requirement could be accelerated to address current needs more effectively.
The scope of the study on preterm births is very broad, covering various topics such as financial costs, risk factors, and program best practices. This breadth could lead to high costs and extended timelines, potentially delaying significant findings. Prioritizing key areas could improve the study's cost-effectiveness and timeliness. (Section 2(c)(1)-(2))
The responsibilities assigned to the National Academies of Sciences require significant resources, including convening a committee of experts and producing a report within 24 months. Without specific funding allocations for these tasks, there is a risk of resource shortages that could impede completion of the report. (Section 2(c))
The absence of explicit budget or funding allocation in the bill for the tasks, including the extensive report to be produced by the National Academies, may lead to challenges in adequately resourcing and executing these requirements effectively. This lack of clarity could result in underfunding of critical activities. (Section 2)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 states that the official name for the act is the “PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025.”
2. PREEMIE Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The PREEMIE Act aims to extend funding for research on preterm and low birthweight infants through 2029, requires an interagency group on preterm birth to be established within 18 months of the 2025 Act's enactment, and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work with experts to study the costs, factors, and detection opportunities for premature births, with findings to be shared with relevant government committees.