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October 9, 2015 – International Medical Corps applauds the introduction of the Reach Every Mother and Child Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, which aims to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal, newborn and childhood deaths worldwide.
Led by a strong bipartisan group including Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), this timely proposal coordinates the U.S. government strategy to help end these preventable deaths by 2035. The Reach Act is the House companion bill to the Reach Every Mother and Child Act (S. 1911), which was introduced this summer by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Christopher Coons (D-DE).
“The Reach Act is the most critical and comprehensive piece of bipartisan legislation on maternal and child survival introduced in decades,” said Mary Pack, Vice President of Domestic and International Affairs at International Medical Corps. “Helping end these needless deaths is something every Member of Congress—and, frankly, every American—should support. We are grateful for the bold leadership of Representatives Reichert, McCollum, Lee and McCaul and Senators Collins and Coons on this important issue.”
“Ending preventable child and maternal deaths, particularly in communities impacted by crises and disaster, is a priority for International Medical Corps, and we look forward to continuing to work with all Members to help move this important legislation forward,” said Pack.
The Reach Act would support and strengthen the efforts of the U.S. Agency for International Development by ramping up cost-effective, evidence-based, innovative and self-sustainable solutions to help end preventable maternal, newborn and childhood deaths globally within a generation. With a focus on helping the poorest and most vulnerable populations around the world, this legislation builds upon the recent unanimous adoption of the Sustainable Development Agenda by all 193 United Nations member-states.
Since its inception 30 years ago, International Medical Corps' mission has been consistent: relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster and disease, by delivering vital health care services that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning devastated populations to self-reliance. For more information visit: www.InternationalMedicalCorps.org. Also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
