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Congress·In Committee·10 months ago

Congress Moves to Extend Preterm Birth Research and Order National Study on Premature Birth Costs

Also known as: PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(2)
Chronic Illness
Neutral
Medicaid
Neutral
Positive Impacts(2)
Pregnant
Helps
Child Tax Credit
Helps

Key Points

  • Congress would extend federal support for research on preterm labor and care for premature and low-birthweight babies through 2029.
  • The Health and Human Services Department would be required to set up an interagency working group within 18 months to coordinate work across the government.
  • Health and Human Services would hire the National Academies to study premature births and report back within 2 years.
  • The study would look at the real-world costs for families and society, including neonatal intensive care stays, long-term needs after discharge, and ongoing medical expenses.
  • The study would also review what drives preterm births and what programs and research might help prevent them or carry more pregnancies to full term.
HealthcarePrescription Drugs

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
May 1, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

May 1, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 30 days after the bill becomes law

National Academies convenes an expert committee on premature births

Experts start reviewing what drives preterm birth and what supports families need, which can shape future recommendations and funding priorities.

No later than 18 months after the bill becomes law

Health and Human Services creates an interagency working group on prematurity

Federal agencies coordinate so research, public health programs, and data-sharing are less fragmented, which can speed up practical improvements in care.

No later than 24 months after the bill becomes law

National Academies sends its final report to Congress and Health and Human Services

The report will lay out the biggest cost drivers (like NICU stays), prevention opportunities, and best practices—often used to justify new programs or changes in how care is delivered.

FY 2025 through FY 2029

Federal prematurity research authorization continues through fiscal year 2029

Researchers and agencies have continued permission to run or fund prematurity-focused work, which supports multi-year studies that can lead to new treatments and guidelines.

Related News

3 articles
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (website)·10 months ago

Bennet, Boozman, Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Premature Births

Announcement of S.1562 reintroduction; describes reauthorizing federal research/education programs on preterm birth and calling for a study on drivers and prevention/treatment options.

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Senator John Boozman (website)·10 months ago

Boozman, Bennet Lead Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Premature Births

Press release detailing the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025, including continued CDC/HRSA activities and a new study to understand causes and identify prevention/treatment options.

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March of Dimes·about 1 year ago

PREEMIE Reauthorization Act (S. 1562/H.R. 1197)

Advocacy explainer for the 2025 reauthorization: reauthorizes federal prematurity programs, calls for coordination across government, and supports studying costs and drivers of preterm birth.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 1562
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(7)
D: 3R: 4

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.