[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 236 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 236

 Expressing support for the goals of a ``NICU Baby's Bill of Rights''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 21, 2025

  Mrs. Houchin (for herself and Mr. McGarvey) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the goals of a ``NICU Baby's Bill of Rights''.

Whereas the United States continues to experience high rates of infant 
        prematurity, with over 380,000 babies born preterm each year and 
        thousands more full-term medically complex babies admitted to the 
        neonatal intensive care unit (NICU);
Whereas the preterm birth rate of Black babies is 50 percent higher than that of 
        White babies in the United States;
Whereas preterm birth is the leading cause of death among children under the age 
        of 1 year;
Whereas a baby born preterm or full-term with medical complications is a 
        significant driver of comorbidities, including necrotizing 
        enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cerebral palsy, brain injury, 
        and retinopathy of prematurity, often resulting in lifelong 
        complications or death;
Whereas babies born prematurely or with severe medical complications are most 
        often cared for in neonatal intensive care units (referred to in this 
        resolution as ``NICUs'');
Whereas having a baby born preterm or full-term with medical complexities is a 
        traumatic experience, and NICU families are often overwhelmed by their 
        circumstances, leaving them at high risk for a variety of mental health 
        concerns, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders;
Whereas NICU parents are often separated from their critically ill babies, 
        bonding is interrupted, and this may have significant negative impacts 
        on the cognitive development of the baby and the emotional and mental 
        well-being of the parents;
Whereas critically ill babies and their parents and family caregivers benefit 
        from skin-to-skin contact in terms of increased breastfeeding rates, 
        higher rates of emotional attachment, enhanced neurodevelopmental 
        outcomes, and promotes confidence in caregiving;
Whereas, when NICU families are supported, outcomes improve for babies and their 
        families;
Whereas all families deserve family-centered care that is developmentally 
        appropriate and supportive;
Whereas all NICU families deserve access to the individualized support, 
        education, and resources they need to thrive during and after their NICU 
        stay;
Whereas NICU families are often not fully informed or consulted on questions of 
        substance regarding their child's care, including treatment plans, the 
        true health status of their baby, and infant nutrition;
Whereas, although studies have shown that human milk-based nutrition is 
        preferable, many families report being unaware of the nutrition options 
        available to their babies including donor human milk and human milk-
        based nutrition; and
Whereas all NICU families have the right to informed consent regarding all 
        aspects of their child's care: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for the goals of a ``NICU Baby's Bill 
        of Rights'' supporting the needs of neonatal intensive care 
        unit families and their babies;
            (2) calls on health providers and other stakeholders to 
        promote a family-centered approach to neonatal intensive care 
        unit care, including the needs of babies as well as families to 
        make the decisions that are right for them, including 
        encouraging parents to be integrated into the daily care of 
        their babies as much as possible;
            (3) understands that parents are a neonatal intensive care 
        unit baby's best advocate, and asks hospitals to establish 
        clear policies that prioritize parental or primary caregiver 
        presence, integration, and collaboration, and involve family 
        advocacy partners in the creation and development of such 
        policies from the beginning of these discussions;
            (4) encourages hospitals to embrace an informed consent 
        model for important care decisions for all neonatal intensive 
        care unit babies, including treatment care plans and infant 
        nutrition for all neonatal intensive care unit babies, ensuring 
        families are fully informed of the risks and benefits of all 
        care options available, and empowering parents to make informed 
        decisions on behalf of their child;
            (5) emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive discharge 
        planning process that includes family participation, ensuring 
        the plan is tailored to the needs of each individual baby and 
        family; and
            (6) underscores the importance of mental health support for 
        parents and family caregivers of neonatal intensive care unit 
        babies, including connecting them to peer-to-peer support 
        programs, support groups, and counseling, whether in person or 
        virtual, to reduce the impact of perinatal mood and anxiety 
        disorders.
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