The March of Dimes says too many babies are being born too soon and it's costing the nation billions of dollars.
The group's new report gives the nation a "D" in efforts to prevent premature births.
Idaho is ahead of the curve with a grade of "C."
The March of Dimes reports that each year, more than half-a-million babies are born before they reach full term -- often with life-threatening health problems.
"Pre-term births cost ten times more, in terms of medical and health care costs. This is a major league problem," said Dr. Jennifer Howse, March of Dimes.
Right now, more than 12 percent of births are premature.
The CDC has set a goal of reducing that rate to about 7.5 percent.
Advocates believe many early births can be prevented by encouraging pregnant women not to smoke, getting uninsured women to doctors to catch problems early, and by postponing non-emergency C-sections and induced labor until 39 weeks.
