Save the Children Welcomes Senate Introduction of NEST Act to Support Rural Moms and Babies

WASHINGTON (Sept. 29, 2026) — Save the Children and its political advocacy arm, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), applaud the introduction of the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act in the Senate. This legislation would expand access to newborn supply kits for families across the United States, with priority given to communities facing the greatest need. 
 

Save the Children and SCAN led a major advocacy campaign to rally bipartisan support for the NEST Act. In July, SCAN volunteers traveled to Washington, meeting with nearly 40 congressional offices to share why this legislation matters for mothers, babies and families, while advocates across the country generated more than 15,000 emails urging Congress to act. 
 

"Save the Children is proud to support the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act and is grateful to Senators Murkowski and Kim for their leadership in improving outcomes for mothers and babies by investing in proven programs that save lives," said Allison Dembeck, Head of Policy at Save the Children. "The NEST Act is a common-sense investment in families that will help ensure parents in rural America have access to critical care, supplies, and supports needed to give their babies a healthy start." 
 

The bipartisan NEST Act would formally establish and support the continued expansion of a federal pilot program led by the Department of Health and Human Services, prioritizing communities facing the greatest need, including those living in maternity care deserts, rural areas, and regions with high maternal mortality rates. The kits include essential supplies, including diapers, ointments, baby wipes, and thermometers, that help mothers care for themselves and their newborns during the critical newborn period.    
 

Studies show families can spend roughly 31% of their annual income on newborn-related expenses during a child's first year. NEST kits help reduce the financial burden on families during the critical postpartum period by providing essential supplies and care items for newborns. 
 

The need for targeted support in rural communities is particularly urgent. Save the Children's 2026 Rural Child Well-being Data Dashboards highlight persistent challenges facing children and families across rural America, including higher rates of child poverty and barriers to accessing maternal and infant health services. The NEST Act would help address some of these challenges by ensuring more families have the resources they need during the earliest days of a child's life.
 

One in 5 children lives in rural America, including approximately 3.5 million children under age 5 and 14 million under age 18. According to Save the Children's 2026 Rural Child Well-being Data Dashboards, rural children and families continue to face significant economic challenges. Save the Children's data show that in 40 states, the share of children living in poverty is higher in rural communities than in non-rural communities, underscoring the widespread and persistent nature of rural economic hardship. 
 

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