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HYDE-SMITH, CORTEZ MASTO OFFER BILL TO EXPAND RESEARCH ON INFANT MONITORING TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT SIDS/SUIDS
Authorizes Research Study of Home Cardiorespiratory Monitors to Help Lower Infant Mortality Rates
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), with U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), today introduced legislation to authorize a research study on the use of medical devices to help reduce the rate of American babies lost to sudden infant death syndrome or sudden unexpected infant death (SIDS/SUIDS).
The Baby Observation Act could expand the use of home cardiorespiratory monitors by requiring a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the effectiveness of these monitors in preventing SIDS/SUIDS.
“While many causes and factors go into the infant mortality rates in Mississippi and around the country, we know that SIDS and SUIDS contribute to these tragic mortality rates. Our legislation would focus attention on home monitors that may prove to be an answer to helping prevent the heartbreaking loss of these beautiful babies,” said Senator Hyde-Smith, chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus.
“No parent should ever have to endure the heartbreak of suddenly losing their newborn baby,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to support legislation that will allow us to better understand and prevent sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and expand the toolbox for parents looking to keep their children safe.”
In addition to requiring the HHS Secretary to study cardiorespiratory monitors, the legislation would also require HHS to examine new models of care to improve an infant’s home sleeping environment, including the use of cardiorespiratory monitors. Without affecting the budget, the study should also help determine whether home cardiorespiratory monitors have shown efficacy to support coverage in private and public health insurance plans.
While SIDS rates seem to have stabilized nationally, SUIDS numbers have increased significantly in recent years. In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Mississippi was 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, the highest of any state and substantially higher than the provisional U.S. rate of 5.5 in 2024.
The Senate’s bipartisan Baby Observation Act closely adheres to similar legislation (HR.2168) introduced by U.S. Representative Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) and cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), and others.
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