The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act includes 12 bills to end maternal mortality and close racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes. NACPM is proud to endorse the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act .
“Rarely do we see legislation where the authors have clearly listened to the community, activists and researchers,” said Tanya Khemet Taiwo, CPM-ret, MPH, PHD, former president of NACPM. “This bill goes beyond simplistic solutions that ignore the true origins of maternal mortality and the unconscionable burden borne by Black families and addresses the social determinants of health. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and the members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus for the first time in history are addressing the system of care that has failed many BIPOC birthing people with a comprehensive approach that includes physicians, midwives, nurses, doulas, social workers, childcare providers, transportation workers, public health workers and others, and challenges us all to surround the pregnant and postpartum family with the respectful quality care they deserve and need.”
Background
In the richest nation on earth, moms are dying at the highest rate in the developed world – and the rate is rising. For as dire as the situation is overall, the crisis is most severe for Black moms in the U.S., who are dying at 3 to 4 times the rate of their white counterparts, and other women and birthing people of color. To address this crisis, Representatives Lauren Underwood & Alma Adams, Senator Cory Booker, and Members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus have introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. The Momnibus builds on existing legislation like 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage to comprehensively address every dimension of the maternal health crisis in the United States.
Bill Summary
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 is composed of twelve individual bills sponsored by Black Maternal Health Caucus Members. The legislation will:
1. Make critical investments in social determinants of health that influence maternal health outcomes, like housing, transportation, and nutrition.
2. Provide funding to community-based organizations that are working to improve maternal health outcomes and promote equity.
3. Comprehensively study the unique maternal health risks facing pregnant and postpartum veterans and support VA maternity care coordination programs.
4. Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure that every mom in America receives culturally congruent maternity care and support.
5. Improve data collection processes and quality measures to better understand the causes of the maternal health crisis in the United States and inform solutions to address it.
6. Support moms with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
7. Improve maternal health care and support for incarcerated moms.
8. Invest in digital tools like telehealth to improve maternal health outcomes in underserved areas.
9. Promote innovative payment models to incentivize high-quality maternity care and continuity of insurance coverage from pregnancy through labor and delivery and up to 1 year postpartum.
10. Invest in federal programs to address the unique risks for and effects of COVID-19 during and after pregnancy and to advance respectful maternity care in future public health emergencies.
11. Invest in community-based initiatives to reduce levels of and exposure to climate change-related risks for moms and babies.
12. Promote maternal vaccinations to protect the health and safety of moms and babies.
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 is endorsed by 191 organizations, listed here, including NACPM.
Take Action
You can take action and call on legislators to support the Momnibus Act - Visit : March of Dimes - Be an Advocate for BIPOC Maternal Health