HR 517 — A Resolution recognizing the month of May 2026 as "Preeclampsia Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.    3347

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 517
                                                 Session of
                                                   2026

     INTRODUCED BY MAYES, HANBIDGE, VENKAT, WAXMAN, RIVERA, HILL-
        EVANS, KHAN, McNEILL, HOHENSTEIN, GALLAGHER, D. WILLIAMS,
        CURRY AND DONAHUE, MAY 5, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INSURANCE, MAY 5, 2026


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing the month of May 2026 as "Preeclampsia Awareness
 2      Month" in Pennsylvania.
 3         WHEREAS, Preeclampsia is a dangerous complication of
 4   pregnancy that is associated with a rapid rise in blood pressure
 5   that can lead to a variety of negative health outcomes,
 6   including seizures, strokes and organ failure, among other
 7   conditions; and
 8         WHEREAS, Preeclampsia generally occurs after the 20th week of
 9   pregnancy, but, in rare cases, the condition can develop after
10   the mother gives birth, which may demand immediate treatment;
11   and
12         WHEREAS, In the most severe cases, preeclampsia can lead to
13   the death of the mother or the infant, in addition to premature
14   birth, which also presents significant long-term health risks
15   for the mother and child; and
16         WHEREAS, Preeclampsia causes an estimated 15% of premature
17   deliveries in the United States; and
 1      WHEREAS, Preeclampsia is estimated to occur in 5% to 8% of
 2   all pregnancies and is one of the leading causes of maternal
 3   mortality; and
 4      WHEREAS, The incidence of preeclampsia in the United States
 5   has increased 25% in the last two decades; and
 6      WHEREAS, A pregnant mother is at a higher risk of
 7   preeclampsia if the mother is undergoing a first pregnancy, is
 8   over 40 years of age, has experienced a large interval since her
 9   last pregnancy, has had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy
10   or has a history of hypertension, chronic kidney disease or
11   diabetes, among other conditions; and
12      WHEREAS, HELLP syndrome is a variant of preeclampsia named
13   for its characteristics of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and
14   low platelet count; and
15      WHEREAS, The conditions of HELLP syndrome may develop without
16   any prior symptoms, are life-threatening to both the mother and
17   infant and may present lifelong health complications for the
18   mother; and
19      WHEREAS, If not properly recognized and managed, preeclampsia
20   can progress to eclampsia, which can cause pregnancy-related
21   seizures or comas, although eclampsia can develop without any
22   observed symptoms of preeclampsia; and
23      WHEREAS, Public education on signs and symptoms of
24   preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and eclampsia can help those who
25   are pregnant recognize these threatening conditions and seek
26   appropriate medical care; and
27      WHEREAS, The Preeclampsia Foundation estimates that 60% of
28   preeclampsia-related deaths are preventable; and
29      WHEREAS, Prenatal education should incorporate recognition of
30   symptoms, including spikes in maternal blood pressure, sudden

20260HR0517PN3347                    - 2 -
 1   swelling of face and hands, severe upper abdominal pain, blurred
 2   vision, persistent headaches and breathlessness; and
 3      WHEREAS, Many residents of this Commonwealth have joined with
 4   the Preeclampsia Foundation to raise public awareness in keeping
 5   with the goal of minimizing maternal and infant illness and
 6   death due to preeclampsia; and
 7      WHEREAS, The House of Representatives supports the
 8   Preeclampsia Foundation in its efforts to provide support and
 9   improve health care practices for mothers impacted by
10   preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy;
11   therefore be it
12      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
13   month of May 2026 as "Preeclampsia Awareness Month" in
14   Pennsylvania.




20260HR0517PN3347                 - 3 -