Bipartisan bill targeting infant mortality clears Ohio House

A response to the state's dismal infant and maternal mortality statistics, the Ohio House of Representatives on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to expand services to new mothers before and after they give birth.

The would-be Stronger Foundations Act would pour $35 million — $20.5 million this fiscal year and $14.5 million in the next — into new and expanded programs focusing on the care of babies during their first three years.

The money would provide for in-home visits, peer counseling, health care, child care, nutritional, and other support.

"It's not great when everybody around the nation knows you're 44th in the nation in these areas," said Rep. Andrea White (R., Kettering), who sponsored House Bill 7 with Rep. Latyna Humphrey (D., Columbus).

The bill passed 72-20 and now heads to the Senate, although that chamber only has one more legislative day scheduled before lawmakers go home for at least the summer before the end of June.

The bipartisan Strong Foundations Act builds on Gov. Mike DeWine's efforts in recent years through the state budget to expand prenatal and postnatal care and services to new mothers and their newborns.

Ohio's stubbornly high infant mortality rate has been among the worst in the nation for years. More than one in 150 babies don't see their first birthdays.

Among Black infants, the mortality rate is 13 per 1,000 births, more than double the rate for white babies, Ms. White said.

"It's an example of legislation of what we should be working on and where we should put our focus, and that is investing in our youngest and most vulnerable citizens," House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D., Upper Arlington) said.

"I certainly find it ironic that a caucus that seems to be so focused on life and unborn life, once it comes to actually putting money where your priorities are, that doesn't happen to the extent that it needs to happen," she said.

All 20 "no" votes were cast by Republicans, including northwest Ohio Reps. Derek Merrin (R., Monclova Township) and Roy Klopfenstein (R., Havliand). Reps. Elgin Rogers (D., Toledo) and Jon Cross (R., Findlay) did not vote.

Rep. Josh Williams (R., Sylvania Township) supported the final bill. But first he tried unsuccessfully to remove a provision requiring health insurers to cover the costs of hearing aids every four years, up to $2,500 per aid, for those 21 and younger. He said the health-care mandate would result in higher insurance premiums.

Among other things, the bill would:

⿏ Provide $8 million for stable housing initiatives for pregnant women and to promote maternal and infant health.

⿏ Provide $2 million for group pregnancy education programs.

⿏ Provide $2 million for grants for community programs supporting infant vitality.

⿏ Establish a Department of Rehabilitation and Correction program to provide doula services for inmates in a prison nursery program.

⿏ Provide $8 million to further support Help Me Grow, Ohio's program providing home visits for pregnant women, new mothers, and their babies.

⿏ Provide $6 million for a pilot program to develop child-care programs like Early Head Start across the state, particularly in regions with high infant-mortality numbers.

⿏ Provide $4 million to pursue enrollment changes in the federal Women, Infants, and Children nutritional program.

"These are cost-saving provisions because it's all about invest now or pay later ...," Ms. White said. "The time is now. It's time really that we break the cycle once and for all."