Congresswoman Scanlon Pushes for Action to Address Black Maternal Health Crisis
Washington,
May 16, 2023
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) this week joined a bicameral group of colleagues in introducing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, historic legislation to save moms’ lives and address every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States.
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, and it is rapidly getting worse. Recent data from the CDC show that maternal deaths in recent years have increased by a dramatic 40%. But there is hope: More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
Led by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Alma Adams (NC-12), and sponsored by Black Maternal Health Caucus members, the package of 13 evidence-based bills would make 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.
"Every mother in our community deserves to live a happy, healthy life with her baby," said Rep. Scanlon. “But tragically, our country has the worst maternal health outcomes in the developed world, and Black women are three times more likely to die from childbirth than white women. I’m proud to join Reps. Adams, Underwood, and Senator Booker in introducing this sweeping package of bills that addresses every driver of the crisis and makes the investments moms need to have safe and healthy pregnancies. I’m calling on my colleagues to pass the full package immediately.”
A one-page summary of the Momnibus, including a list of the 181 original House cosponsors, can be found here. Additional information about the individual bills in the Momnibus can be found on the Black Maternal Health Caucus website here.
A list of more than 200 organizations endorsing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act can be found here.
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