The Baby Observation Act could expand the use of home cardiorespiratory monitors by requiring a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the effectiveness of these monitors in preventing SIDS/SUIDS. “While many causes and factors go into the infant mortality rates in Mississippi and around the country, we know that SIDS and SUIDS contribute to these tragic mortality rates. In addition to requiring the HHS Secretary to study cardiorespiratory monitors, the legislation would also require HHS to examine new models of care to improve an infant’s home sleeping environment, including the use of cardiorespiratory monitors. Without affecting the budget, the study should also help determine whether home cardiorespiratory monitors have shown efficacy to support coverage in private and public health insurance plans. In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Mississippi was 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, the highest of any state and substantially higher than the provisional U.S. rate of 5.5 in 2024.