Senators Collins, Coons Reintroduce Bill to Help Save Lives of Mothers and Children Around the World

Washington, D.C. (June 25, 2019) — Save the Children CEO Carolyn Miles today applauded U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) for reintroducing widely-supported, bipartisan legislation that would help save the lives of mothers and children around the world.

“Save the Children has long been a leader in striving to ensure that children won’t die from conditions like diarrhea, malaria and malnutrition. Tragically, however, nearly 15,000 kids all over the world lose their lives each day from these kinds of treatable illnesses. That is simply unacceptable,” said Miles. “We have already made great progress, but there is more to do. With U.S. leadership, we can help lower these numbers to zero.”

The Reach Every Mother and Child Act is a bold, bipartisan policy initiative supported by more than 20 diverse non-profit and faith-based organizations working to end preventable maternal, newborn, and child mortality overseas. This crucial legislation will ensure the U.S. plays a leading role in contributing to the global goal of ending these deaths by 2030.

The Reach Act would enact key reforms that increase the effectiveness and impact of USAID maternal and child survival programs so that moms and kids around the world have access to simple, proven treatments for preventable diseases.

It would require a coordinated U.S. government strategy for ending preventable child and maternal deaths and establish rigorous reporting requirements to improve transparency, accountability, and oversight of USAID maternal and child health programs. Further, the bill would ensure USAID focuses on increasing access to the highest impact, evidence-based interventions to maximize our return on investment.

Additionally, the bill would encourage USAID to explore and implement new financing arrangements, such as pay-for-success contracting. This supports USAID’s capacity to innovate and use existing resources catalytically.

The Reach Act is also cosponsored by Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Todd Young (R-IN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Jack Reed (D-RI).  

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.