As school starts again, it was great reading two ideas that are humbly presented that would transform modern education and have a skillful impact on our next generation of students. It is wonderful that there is research happening regarding these issues.

These are global issues that our representatives should consider. Pregnant women and young children are among the most vulnerable populations in developing nations.

Every day, children around the world die from treatable illnesses, and many women die from pregnancy or childbirth complications.

By investing in expectant mothers and young children, we pave the way for healthier, happier and more independent future generations. The preventable deaths of newborns, their mothers and children under the age of five are genuine tragedies that remains a widespread reality in far too many places around our world today.

The Reach Every Mother and Child Act (S.1730) proposes that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) target some of their existing funds towards maternal and child health.

Focusing on maternal health makes sense, because, according to the National Institute for Health, “healthier women and their children contribute to more productive and better-educated societies to care for students.”

The Reach Every Mother and Child Act’s goals transcend traditional party lines, and make not only moral, but medical and long-term economic sense. I would call on Senator Ernst for co-sponsoring the Reach Act and showing support for these vulnerable populations in our nation and globally.

We can all help gain support for the bill by calling or emailing our congressman and senators, encouraging our representatives to sign on it or co-sponsor it.

Editors Note: Senator Chuck Grassley is co-sponsoring the bill, not Senator Ernst.

— Nadir Khan, International Student