Arkansas Senators Boozman and Bennett secured passage of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act, extending federal support for preterm birth research and prevention programs through 2030.

This legislation, signed into law as part of the 2026 spending package, funds the CDC and HRSA to expand data collection on premature births and support initiatives targeting risk factors like smoking and maternal depression. UAMS received a $11.7 million award to expand maternal health research, while congressional appropriations provided $40 million for program support.

Arkansas reported 4,289 preterm births in 2024, 12.1% of live births, highlighting the state's high infant mortality rates. Advocates emphasize the act's role in addressing the U.S. receiving a D+ on the 2025 March of Dimes Report Card, aiming to improve prenatal care and outcomes for mothers and infants nationwide.