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Bills Aimed At Tackling Ohio’s High Infant Mortality Rate
By: Statehouse News Bureau
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Ohio has one of the worst infant mortality rates in the nation. Republican State Senator Shannon Jones of Springboro said a high infant death rate is a red flag.
“A states infant mortality rate is much like the canary that goes down into the coal mine, and it’s an indicator of the overall health and wellness of mothers and children in the communities,” Jones said.
The five bills introduced Wednesday are meant to increase awareness of safety measures that can prevent infant mortality and expand health programs that can address the problem.
Jones co-authored the legislation with Democratic State Senator Charleta B.Tavares of Columbus, who hopes the bills will move quickly through the legislative process.
“Because every day that goes by we are assuring our residents that another baby will die. Over a thousand have died in our state each year and that’s unconscionable,” he said.
Five bills introduced Wednesday will now be referred to a Senate Committee for further consideration.