Bill Text: PA HR229 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Urging the Department of Health to prepare and distribute educational information about premature infants' risks and health care needs.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 26-11)

Status: (Passed) 2009-05-12 - Adopted [HR229 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR229-Introduced.html

---

PRINTER'S NO. 1492
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 229 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY ROEBUCK, BROWN, BELFANTI, BRIGGS, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, McILVAINE SMITH, MILLARD, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, R. TAYLOR, VULAKOVICH, WATERS, WHEATLEY AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 15, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, APRIL 15, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Department of Health to prepare and distribute
educational information about premature infants' risks and
health care needs.
WHEREAS, In 2005, one in eight babies was born preterm in
this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Between 1995 and 2005, the rate of infants born
preterm in this Commonwealth increased more than 12%; and
WHEREAS, Between 1995 and 2005, the rate of preterm births in
this Commonwealth was highest for African-American infants at
16.8%, followed by Native Americans at 15%, Hispanics at 13.2%,
Caucasians at 10.7% and Asians at 9.5%; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, the annual societal medical, educational
and lost productivity costs associated with preterm births in
the United States was at least $26.2 billion; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
Department of Health to prepare and distribute educational
information about premature infants' risks and health care
needs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Health include the following
information in the publications:
(1) The unique health issues affecting infants born
premature such as increased risk of developmental problems,
nutritional challenges, infection, chronic lung disease
(bronchopulmonary dysplasia), vision and hearing impairment,
breathing problems, feeding, maintaining body temperature,
jaundice, hyperactivity and infant mortality, as well as
long-term complications associated with growth and nutrition,
respiratory problems, fine motor skills, reading, writing,
mathematics and speaking.
(2) The proper care needs of premature infants,
developmental screenings and monitoring and health care
services available to premature infants through the Medicaid
program and other public or private health programs.
(3) Methods, vaccines and other preventative measures to
protect premature infants from infectious diseases, including
viral respiratory infections.
(4) The emotional and financial burdens and other
challenges that parents and family members of premature
infants experience and information about community resources
available to support them;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Health make these
publications available to children's health providers, maternal
care providers, hospitals, public health departments and medical
organizations and encourage those organizations to provide the
publications to parents or guardians of premature infants.
20090HR0229PN1492 - 2 -