Garden State Times

Legislative package addresses every leading cause of maternal death in the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 15, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.), along with U.S. Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.-14) and Alma Adams (D-N.C.-12), reintroduced the bicameral Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, historic legislation to save the lives of pregnant women and mothers and address every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States.

“New Jersey’s maternal mortality and morbidity rates are alarming – a reality that’s further exacerbated amongst Black and Brown pregnant women who experience higher rates of complications during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum,” said Sen. Menendez. “As members of Congress, we have a responsibility to undertake an all of government approach to address this crisis, and with today’s reintroduction of the bicameral Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, I reaffirm to work with Senator Booker and my colleagues in both chambers to ensure pregnant women and mothers have the resources and holistic care they need to live long healthy lives.”

“The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of industrialized nations, and the rate is only rising. The data is even more concerning for Black moms,” said Sen. Booker.“ No one deserves to be left behind by the health care system or face inadequate care during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. This legislation is a critical step towards saving lives, ending disparities in health care and outcomes, and ensuring our health care system treats all moms with the care and dignity they deserve regardless of their race or circumstance. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill that would address the drivers of the maternal health crisis, invest in social determinants of health, and ensure comprehensive support for all people. It's time to prioritize the well-being of all, eliminate racial and ethnic disparities for Black and Brown moms, and create a brighter and healthier future for all families.”

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, and it’s rapidly getting worse. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that maternal deaths in recent years have increased by a dramatic 89%. But there is hope: More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Comprehensive federal action is the solution we need to end this crisis and save moms’ lives.

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act makes critical investments to address social determinants of health, provide funding for community-based organizations, grow and diversify the perinatal health workforce, expand access to maternal mental health care, address the effects of climate change on maternal and infant health, and improve data collection processes.

The Momnibus is made up of thirteen bills sponsored by Black Maternal Health Caucus Members. The legislation will:

1. Make critical investments insocial determinants of healththat influence maternal health outcomes, like housing, transportation, and nutrition.
2. Extend WIC eligibilityin the postpartum and breastfeeding periods.
3. Provide funding tocommunity-based organizationsthat are working to improve maternal health outcomes and promote equity.
4. Increase funding for programs to improvematernal health care for veterans.
5. Grow and diversify theperinatal workforceto ensure that every mom in America receives maternal health care and support from people they trust.
6. Improvedata collection processes and quality measuresto better understand the causes of the maternal health crisis in the United States and inform solutions to address it.
7. Support moms withmaternal mental healthconditions and substance use disorders.
8. Improve maternal health care and support forincarcerated moms.
9. Invest indigital toolsto improve maternal health outcomes in underserved areas.
10. Promoteinnovative payment modelsto incentivize high-quality maternity care and non-clinical support during and after pregnancy.
11. Invest in federal programs to addressmaternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.
12. Invest in community-based initiatives to reduce levels of and exposure toclimate change-related risks for moms and babies.
13. Promotematernal vaccinationsto protect the health of moms and babies.

The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.). Reps. Underwood and Adams were joined by 181 original cosponsors in the House of Representatives.

• The full text of the bill can be found HERE.
• Additional information about the individual bills in the Momnibus can be found on the Black Maternal Health Caucus website.
• A list of more than 200 organizations endorsing the Momnibus can be found HERE.
• Quotes in support of the Momnibus can be found HERE.

Original source can be found here.