Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stillbirth Prevention topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate Health Committee favorably reports bill to designate Sept. 19 as Stillbirth Prevention Day
Summary
After proponent testimony from families and advocacy groups, the Senate Health Committee voted to favorably report House Bill 4 to rules and reference; witnesses urged the designation to raise awareness, support research and strengthen prevention and bereavement supports.
The Senate Health Committee on a second hearing moved to favorably report House Bill 4, which would designate Sept. 19 as Ohio Stillbirth Prevention Day, after proponent testimony from parents and statewide advocates.
Dr. Michael Bullock, president of Miles Mission, and two other witnesses described stillbirth as a public-health problem and urged the committee to act. "On October 13, my wife and I held Miles for a few moments, kissed his cold cheeks, and said our goodbyes," Bullock said, describing his family's loss. He told the committee Ohio averages "almost 800 stillbirths a year, or a little more than 2 families a day" and cited a 2023 National Institutes of Health finding that he summarized as showing that a portion of stillbirths are preventable.
The testimony focused on two goals: using an official day to elevate public awareness and to promote coordination for research and prevention. "This bill also gives us a greater voice to work together in developing evidence based solutions," Bullock said. Jennifer Bullock Moore, who testified about her son's stillbirth, described gaps in communication and prenatal education during her care: "Had I known that I had 2 previous c sections that led to a complication ... I would have been able to ask for a closer look during my ultrasounds." Dominique Johnson of Groundwork Ohio urged the committee to bring stillbirth "out of the shadows" and cited Ohio SOAR (Ohio Study for Associated Risk of Stillbirth) data presented to the committee.
Why it matters: Witnesses told senators that formal recognition of Stillbirth Prevention Day can increase public understanding, support bereavement resources and help coordinate prevention and research efforts across hospitals and community providers. Testimony cited several data points presented to the committee: an NIH 2023 report referenced by a witness indicating a percentage of stillbirths are preventable; Ohio SOAR data on fetal deaths; and national estimates used by witnesses to frame scale.
Committee action and next steps: Senator Manchester moved to "favorably report House Bill 4 to the Senate Committee on rules and reference." After a roll call the chair announced, "Having received the majority, the bill will be favorably reported to rules and reference." The committee did not record a full, named roll-call in the transcript excerpt; the motion was recorded as carried and the matter will proceed to rules and reference.
The witnesses asked for follow-up efforts to translate awareness into concrete steps—improved prenatal education, stronger bereavement care and coordination with hospitals and perinatal programs. Committee members who spoke expressed support for the legislation during the hearing.
