New sepsis bill introduced in House honors the memory of Rory Staunton

Ciaran and Orlaith Staunton have reached a historic milestone in their decade-long campaign to reform American healthcare. This week, the US House of Representatives officially introduced the SEPSIS Act to combat the deadly condition that claimed the life of their son, Rory.

Congressmen Donald Norcross and Thomas Kean Jr. introduced the legislation to strengthen national efforts against a condition that kills over 350,000 Americans annually. For Congressman Norcross, the mission is deeply personal because he recently survived a life-threatening bout of sepsis following a gallbladder infection.

The bill empowers the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop education programs and national outcome measures, while highlighting hospitals that succeed in saving patients' lives. By turning their private grief into public policy, the Staunton family is ensuring that Rory's legacy provides a safer future for every American patient.

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Rory Staunton lost his life to sepsis in 2012, aged 12.

The sepsis legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ). The legislation, the Securing Enhanced Programs, Systems, and Initiatives for Sepsis (SEPSIS) Act (H.R. 7116), strengthens national efforts to combat sepsis and is companion legislation to the Sepsis Act (S. 1929), which was recently introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Schumer (D-NY), Collins (R-ME), and Kim (D-NJ).

"We thank Congressman Norcross and Congressman Kean for their unwavering leadership in advancing this lifesaving sepsis legislation. Sepsis kills more than 350,000 Americans each year and costs the U.S. healthcare system over $62 billion annually-yet far too many cases remain preventable with timely, evidence-based care." said Ciaran and Orlaith Staunton, founders of END SEPSIS, the Legacy of Rory Staunton.

"Thirteen years ago, sepsis claimed the life of our 12-year-old son, Rory. To honor his life and protect others, Congress must pass this legislation and ensure it is fully implemented in every hospital, without delay."

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Ciaran and Orlaith Staunton.

In April 2025, Congressman Norcross was hospitalized with a gallbladder infection that developed into sepsis, leaving him in critical condition. He has since made a full recovery, but his experience highlighted the urgent need for more national attention on sepsis prevention and treatment.

“Last year, I experienced a medical emergency on an airplane and developed sepsis, a medical condition caused by a severe infection. Each year, 1.7 million people in the United States develop sepsis and it is the third leading cause of death in American hospitals. I was one of the lucky ones,” said Congressman Norcross.

“I am here today because of the excellent doctors and nurses who saved my life, but too many families aren’t as lucky. With the SEPSIS Act, we can change that.  We can save lives and reduce the devastating toll this condition has on our loved ones.”

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U.S. House of Representatives by Donald Norcross.

“Sepsis can impact anyone – young or old, sick or healthy – and preventing deaths depends on early recognition and timely intervention,” said Congressman Kean.

“Today, Congressman Norcross and I are introducing this bipartisan legislation to strengthen sepsis care through expanded education, national information-sharing on best practices, and improved pediatric data collection. New Jersey has long been a leader in the fight against sepsis, and I am grateful to partner with a fellow member of our state’s delegation to bring this critical effort to the federal level.”

“New Jersey hospitals have made significant investments in evidence-based protocols, staff training and quality improvement to identify and treat sepsis as early as possible. Continued attention to sepsis – such as this important legislation – is critical to supporting hospitals’ ongoing efforts to save lives,” said Cathy Bennett, NJHA President and CEO.

The SEPSIS Act directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to dedicate staff and resources to sepsis, create an education program to help hospitals adopt best practices for prevention and treatment, and provide Congress with updates on progress toward reducing deaths and complications. The bill also calls for the development of a national outcome measure and creates a recognition program to highlight hospitals with effective prevention and treatment efforts.

The bill is supported by END Sepsis Inc., American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, New Jersey Hospital Association, Sepsis Alliance, and Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America.