“It Will Give New Hope to Millions of Children"

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Chair of the House Republican Conference, applauded the passage of the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE)Act today, which includes her legislation, the National Pediatric Research Network Act.  This bipartisan bill, which she introduced in July with Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA), will advance research for a variety of pediatric conditions such as Down syndrome and spinal muscular atrophy.

“As a mother, I am reminded on a daily basis of the importance of our children’s health – and for that reason, I am proud the House has passed the PREEMIE Act – and the National Pediatric Research Network Act – so we can build upon our nation’s commitment to pediatric medical research,” said Chair McMorris Rodgers.  “Too often, research into pediatric disorders has lagged behind research into other medical conditions.  The time has come to take pediatric research to the next level, and this bill will do just that.  It will give new hope to millions of children – and their families – in this country.”

The PREEMIE Act authorizes research to prevent pre-term births and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate this effort.  Additionally, it authorizes the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish up to eight pediatric research networks throughout the nation.  Each network will be selected by NIH through a competitive review process.  These pediatric networks will work in a collaborative manner to improve health outcomes for children who suffer from spinal muscular atrophy, Down syndrome, and Fragile X.

The National Pediatric Research Network Actis supported by the Children’s Hospital Association, the Federation of Pediatric Organizations, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the National Down Syndrome Society, Fight SMA, and various other groups. 

To watch Chair McMorris Rodgers’s remarks on the National Pediatric Research Network Act from September, click here.

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