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Pennsylvania House adopts resolution on infant mortality after debate over causes and solutions
Summary
The Pennsylvania House adopted House Resolution 298 designating September 2025 as Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Sponsor Representative Gina Curry cited statewide and county-level infant mortality statistics and maternal-care shortages; a colleaguewas admonished for going off-topic during debate.
The Pennsylvania House on the floor adopted House Resolution 298 designating September 2025 as Infant Mortality Awareness Month, with a recorded vote of 183 ayes and 20 nays.
Representative Gina Curry (D-Delaware) introduced the resolution and said Pennsylvaniahad an infant mortality rate of about 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 and that the figure masks significant disparities. "This is not just a rural issue," Curry said, pointing to counties with no obstetric services and to higher mortality among Black infants tied to complications from premature birth and low birth weight.
The resolution draws attention to gaps in access to obstetric and pediatric care and urges awareness and use of preventative resources. Curry cited a sharp local change in Delaware County, where the infant mortality rate rose from 5.3 in 2021 to 7.2 in 2022, and named six counties described in the discussion as maternal-care deserts: Cameron, Forest, Greene, Juniata, Sullivan and Wyoming.
Representative Fink (R-York) expressed support for the resolution but was repeatedly warned by the chair for remarks that the speaker said went beyond the resolution's scope. During that exchange Fink said, "If we're gonna talk about saving the lives of our babies, let's talk about saving the lives of all our babies and stop allowing the murder..." and the chair sustained a point of order and reminded members to stay on topic.
The House recorded the final vote on the resolution after debate. The resolution is symbolic and does not create new programs or funding; the sponsor urged lawmakers to consider investments in obstetric and pediatric access, training and placement of midwives and doulas to reduce preventable causes of infant death.
The vote followed floor remarks and a short exchange enforcing rules of decorum; no formal amendments or follow-up motions tied to funding or statutory change were made on the floor during this item.
