Have you heard about the NICU Baby’s Bill of Rights?
And do you know that if it isn’t passed by the House before the current Congress ends in January 2027, it will expire and need to be reintroduced in the next Congress?
House Resolution 236 has received a lot of support, and I am sure it’s because it’s a no-brainer.
In fact, if you haven’t navigated the NICU—or even if you have—I bet you think these rights are already implemented.
This resolution:
· Sees parents as partners in care
· Encourages real informed consent
· Is family-centered
· And, my personal favorite, acknowledges that mental health matters
Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant death. NICU babies often have medical complexities. Bonding can be interrupted, and there can be negative impacts on a baby’s development and on the mental health of parents.
This resolution acknowledges all of this.
It explicitly states:
“The importance of mental health support for parents and family caregivers of neonatal intensive care unit babies, including connecting them to peer-to-peer support programs, support groups, and counseling, whether in person or virtual, to reduce the impact of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.”
Now, this is not a bill that can change the law, but if the resolution is adopted, it could:
· Encourage hospitals to review their NICU policies
· Give NICU advocacy organizations more leverage when asking for improved care
· Raise awareness
· Lay the groundwork for future legislation
The hill I will die on is this: If we want regulated babies who grow to be regulated children, we need regulated caregivers.
This resolution acknowledges this and could improve lives.
This resolution was introduced in March 2025 by Reps. Erin Houchin (R-IN) and Morgan McGarvey (D-KY). It was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee but has not yet been approved.
If it isn’t acted on before Congress ends in January 2027, it will expire and have to be reintroduced in the next Congress.
Along with the NICU Parent Network, I encourage you to contact Congress in support of this resolution.
Here is how you can reach out to lawmakers:
https://speak4.app/lp/3i01psyi?ts=1780090619
Here is the resolution:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-resolution/236/text/ih