Akron Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Week, U.S. Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13), Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Alma Adams (NC-12), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Momnibus Act, historic legislation to support mothers and combat the public health crisis of maternal mortality in the United States.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Mominbus Act. This landmark legislation is a testament to our commitment to supporting mothers and families across our great nation. By addressing critical issues such as maternal healthcare, affordable childcare, paid family leave, and economic empowerment for women, the Momnibus Act not only recognizes the invaluable role mothers play in our society but also takes meaningful steps to ensure their well-being and success,” said Rep. Sykes. “During my time as Minority Leader of the Ohio House, I co-founded the first-ever Ohio Black Maternal Health Caucus to improve infant and maternal mortality in my home state since Ohio has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the country. There is still much work to be done to address this national public health issue, but as an original co-sponsor of this bill, I am proud to put forward a legislative solution that will work to support mothers and bring an end to the maternal mortality crisis in America.”

In Ohio, the maternal mortality rate alarmingly sits at 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is higher than the national average of 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, the maternal mortality rate for Black women in Ohio is even higher, at 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, almost three time the national average. Additionally, the rates of maternal mortality in rural Ohio warrant grave concern. 13 of 88 counties are maternity care deserts, and approximately 97,000 women have been impacted by overall reductions in access to care in the past two years. Several Northeast Ohio counties, including Holmes, Tuscarawas, Coshocton and Ashtabula are considered to have low access, Portage County's only maternity unit closed in Ravenna, and Summa's maternity unit also closed in Barberton last year. The lack of any maternity care in those counties, coupled with barriers to access care farther away, leads to poor health outcomes for mothers and babies.

The Momnibus is made up of thirteen 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. Extend WIC eligibility in the postpartum and breastfeeding periods. 
3. Provide funding to community-based organizations that are working to improve maternal health outcomes and promote equity.
4. Increase funding for programs to improve maternal health care for veterans. 
5. Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure that every mom in America receives maternal health care and support from people they trust. 
6. 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. 
7. Support moms with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders. 
8. Improve maternal health care and support for incarcerated moms. 
9. Invest in digital tools to improve maternal health outcomes in underserved areas. 
10. Promote innovative payment models to incentivize high-quality maternity care and non-clinical support during and after pregnancy. 
11. Invest in federal programs to address maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.  
12. Invest in community-based initiatives to reduce levels of and exposure to climate change-related risks for moms and babies. 
13. Promote maternal vaccinations to protect the health of moms and babies.

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.  

A one-page summary of the Momnibus, including a list of the 181 original House cosponsors, can be found here, and 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 Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act can be found here.

Original source can be found here.