AID: We can reduce maternal and child deaths

Our grandson was born one year ago. He is happy and thriving, and his grandparents consider themselves infinitely lucky to have his presence once a week in our Olalla home. He is fortunate to have received excellent medical care, good nutrition and inoculations against preventable childhood diseases.

However, worldwide 17,000 children die each day from treatable causes. That is the equivalent of 25 elementary schools full of children every day.

We have the capacity to solve this problem. A bipartisan bill sponsored by Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Chris Coons, D-Delaware, is designed to end these preventable deaths.

The Reach Every Mother and Child Act (S.1911) will instruct USAID to focus on the poorest and most vulnerable populations while using clear and measurable goals. Efficient and proven methods that work to save lives will be implemented without requiring additional funding.

Many organizations support the Reach Act: Bread for the World, World Vision, American Academy of Pediatrics, CARE, RESULTS and Save the Children are just a few.

Every parent and grandparent should be able to enjoy their children and grandchildren without fear of their premature death from preventable causes. That is why Congress should act now.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 12:46 PM with the headline "AID: We can reduce maternal and child deaths."