Expressing support for the goals of a "NICU Baby's Bill of Rights".
This House resolution expresses support for the goals of a NICU Baby’s Bill of Rights. It notes that many families experience trauma when a baby is born preterm or with medical complications and underscores the importance of family-centered, developmentally appropriate care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The resolution advocates for policies that prioritize parental presence and participation, uses an informed-consent approach for major care decisions (including treatment plans and infant nutrition), ensures comprehensive discharge planning with family involvement, and provides mental health support for parents and caregivers. It is a non-binding measure that signals congressional support and encourages hospitals, health providers, and other stakeholders to adopt these practices; it does not create new rights or require new funding.
Key Points
- 1Expresses support for the goals of a NICU Baby’s Bill of Rights to improve outcomes for NICU families and their babies.
- 2Promotes a family-centered approach in NICU care, including integrating parents into daily care decisions whenever possible.
- 3Calls on hospitals to establish clear policies that prioritize parental or primary caregiver presence, integration, and collaboration, involving family advocacy partners in policy development.
- 4Encourages an informed consent model for important NICU care decisions, including treatment plans and infant nutrition, ensuring families understand risks and benefits.
- 5Emphasizes comprehensive discharge planning that involves the family and provides mental health support for parents and caregivers, including access to peer support, groups, and counseling.