Media Contact: Brendan Daly (202.794.1580)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 28, 2015) – Save the Children Action Network today applauded Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) for reintroducing the Social Impact Partnership Act (S.1089), which aims to achieve better outcomes in social and public health programs for both beneficiaries and taxpayers.

“Today Senators Hatch and Bennet took a great step forward in utilizing new and creative methods of funding for social programs that are proven to support children and families and boost our economy,” said Mark Shriver, president of Save the Children Action Network. “The Social Impact Partnership Act provides an opportunity for creating new bipartisan financing methods for education and health, and is critically needed now to finance early childhood education and health interventions around the nation.”

The Social Impact Partnership Act directs resources to states and local communities to support innovative public-private partnerships in order to tackle social and public health challenges and establishes a new system for a smarter and more effective use of tax dollars. Under the Hatch-Bennet bill, the federal government would establish desired outcomes to pressing social problems, that, if achieved, would save money for taxpayers and improve lives.

In March, companion legislation, H.R. 1336, was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Todd Young (R-Ind.) and John Delaney (D-Md.).

Save the Children Action Network has been advocating for the reintroduction of the Social Impact Partnership Act because it would allow private and philanthropic investors to enter into contracts with the government to fund evidence-based programs that serve a public good and also save the government money. This model is an innovative way already being used by many states to finance programs such as early childhood education expansion and successful health interventions.

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Save the Children Action Network is the political voice for kids. We believe that every child deserves the best start in life. That’s why we’re building bipartisan will and voter support to make sure every child in the U.S. has access to high-quality early learning and that no mother or child around the globe dies from a preventable disease or illness. By investing in kids and holding leaders accountable, we are helping kids from birth to age five survive and thrive.