COLUMBUS – A bill headed to Gov. John Kasich’s desk is meant to address the problem of infant mortality in Ohio, which ranks 45th in the nation in that key indicator of well-being.
The bill enacts the recommendations from a panel of lawmakers and health officials, including a ban on the sale of crib bumpers and assistance for organizations with the means to help expectant mothers quit smoking.
“Ohio’s infant mortality rate is a tragic stain on our great state,” said state Sen. Shannon Jones (R-Springboro), who co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus).
More than 1,000 babies died before their first birthday in Ohio in 2015 and, despite the fact that the growth of the overall rate improved over the past year, the most recent report from the state Department of Health indicated that infant mortality is disproportionately impacting racial minorities, the bill’s supporters said.
“While the infant mortality rate increased for babies of all races, the infant mortality rate for African-American babies is now nearly three times that of Caucasian babies,” Tavares said. “This is totally unacceptable.”
The bill’s provisions were based on recommendation included in a 29-page report issued earlier this year by the Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality.
“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 Rep. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), co-chair of the commission.
Along with the crib bumper ban, the legislation calls for better data collection practices, allowing for better scrutiny of mortality and preterm birth rates by race and ethnic group, and improve the availability of resources for new and expectant mothers living in underserved communities.
The measure also includes provisions permitting pharmacists to administer certain injectable drugs, including anti-opioids and drugs that can reduce the risk of preterm birth.