H.R. 535 Summary

• Declares Ohio's infant mortality rate a public health crisis, ranking 47th nationally with 1,047 infant deaths in 2012.

• Identifies preterm birth as the leading cause of infant mortality in Ohio, with a 12.1% preterm birth rate (16,732 babies in 2012) and NICU care costing an average of $280,000 per infant.

• Urges comprehensive preterm birth risk screening for all pregnant women, including cervical length measurement via transvaginal ultrasound or cervicometer as an evidence-based screening tool.

• Notes that vaginal progesterone treatment for women with short cervical length reduces preterm birth and infant mortality rates by nearly half while reducing NICU admissions by 25%, with treatment costing less than $400 per course.

• Estimates that universal cervical length screening and progesterone treatment across Ohio could generate over $27 million in annual savings, including $10 million in Medicaid savings.