Ohio House Approves Bill Combatting Infant Mortality

The Ohio House today voted in favor of implementing a number of policy initiatives aimed at reducing Ohio’s alarmingly high infant mortality rate.

Senate Bill 332, which will now go back to the Senate for a concurrence vote, enacts the recommendations issued by the Commission on Infant Mortality, including equipping organizations with the means to help expectant mothers quit smoking, and an elimination of the sale of crib bumpers.

Due to Ohio’s poor ranking of 45th in the nation for its overall infant mortality rate, state officials have been working to improve this number so more babies are able to live to see their first birthday. As a result, legislators, local officials and healthcare leaders joined together to find answers through the Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality, which issued the 29-page report outlining their recommendations earlier this year.

“Although there is still much work to be done, I am confident this legislation is another piece in solving this complex and yet often preventable problem facing our state,” said State Representative Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), co-chair of the Commission on Infant Mortality. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the commission and I will continue to fight for Ohio’s most vulnerable to ensure more reach their first birthday and live in a healthier Ohio.”

The provisions of the legislation address developing better data collection practices, promoting collaboration between state and local initiatives, promoting public awareness campaigns, improving screening tools to identify areas with the most need, and addressing the social determinants of health.

One of the most striking trends that was uncovered by the commission was that while the overall mortality rate has marginally improved over the past year, the mortality rate is disproportionately impacting racial minorities. To address this concern, SB 332 improves resources available to new and expectant mothers living in underserved communities, and allows for better scrutiny of mortality and preterm birth rates by race an ethnic group.

Senate Bill 332 also includes provisions permitting pharmacists to administer certain injectable drugs, including opioid antagonists and drugs reducing the risk of preterm birth.