The momnibus bill , america has a Black Maternal Health problem, Black moms die at a rate of 3-4 times the rate of white counterparts due to pregnancy-related causes. Representative Lauren Underwood, Representative Alma Adams and Cory Booker, members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus are introducing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. What items in the bill will address the disproportionate negative impact on Black Mothers?
- Improve maternal health data collection;
- Support programs to improve mental health for postpartum mothers;
- Examine policies on continuing health insurance coverage, including Medicaid, up to one year postpartum.
The most interesting measure to me that is in talks to be put in the bill is a grant to hospitals and health care systems that would establish a “respectful maternity care compliance office” would look to ensure that families are receiving maternal and infant care without bias or disrespect and also provide for reporting on these programs.
A Growing Public Awareness
The momnibus billThe Century Foundation’s new bill tracker builds upon growing public attention to the racial inequities in maternal health outcomes, which recently culminated in the first White House Maternal Health Day of Action hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris on December 7, 2021. The day featured a series of dialogues between advocates, lawmakers, and individuals impacted by maternal mortality and morbidity on the systemic factors contributing to the nation’s maternal health crisis and potential federal actions to address the crisis. The Black Maternal Health featured prominently in the day’s programming as one of the key solutions. Vice President Harris called upon the momnibus bill Congress to act swiftly to pass the Build Back Better Act, which includes major provisions from nine of the bills.
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus, reintroduced in the 117th Congress in February 2021, is an ambitious and critical package of legislation that aims to address the maternal health crisis facing the United States. Nationwide, Black women are three times more likely than their white counterparts to die from pregnancy-related causes, and this statistic does not capture the many women and birthing people experiencing pregnancy complications and near misses. the momnibus bill, Stemming from historical and ongoing racism and inequality, racial disparities in maternal health must be tackled with a comprehensive set of solutions. The Momnibus does just that, with its suite of twelve bills addressing issues ranging from the social determinants of health, maternal mental health, perinatal workforce development, and the effects of climate change, to the unique circumstances facing incarcerated individuals and veterans.
The momnibus bill
the momnibus bill , Crucially, key progress has been made to advance this legislation. The Build Back Better Act, the flagship social infrastructure package spearheaded by President Joe Biden, includes historic investments in a number of provisions from the momnibus bill .
the momnibus bill The day she introduced the “Momnibus” in March 2020, Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) warned of a public health crisis that would not abate unless lawmakers took action: Black birthing parents were dying at unacceptable rates, she said.
“While maternal mortality rates continue to drop around the world, they are rising in the U.S., leaving behind devastated families and children who will never grow up knowing their moms,” Underwood said in a statement introducing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus, a legislative package with anunprecedented focus on Black moms.
“This crisis demands urgent attention and serious action to save the lives of Black mothers and all women across the country,” Underwood added.
WhenUnderwood made those remarks on Monday, March 9, 2020, she was unaware that in two days, the entire landscape of public health in America would change. By Wednesday night, the World Health Organization had declared covid-19 a pandemic, prompting cities to ban large gatherings, close schools and send many office workers home.
