President Biden Signs First Bill in Underwood’s Historic ‘Momnibus’ Legislation into Law

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) celebrated President Biden signing the first bill of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act into law today at a White House bill signing ceremony. The Protecting Moms Who Served Actis one of 12 bills in the sweeping Momnibus package introduced by Underwood to eliminate preventable maternal mortality and advance birth equity across the United States. Enacting theProtecting Moms Who Served Actis a historic investment to address the unique risk factors facing veterans during and after their pregnancies.

"I am so proud that my bill, the bipartisan Protecting Moms Who Served Act, was signed into law by the President today—the first bill in my Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to be become law,"said Underwood."This is a historic investment to provide our veterans with the world-class maternal health care they've earned – and it's just the beginning. I'm thrilled that every single one of the eligible provisions of my Momnibus legislation, along with a permanent expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage, were included in the Build Back Better Act that passed in the House of Representatives - we have the momentum to get this done and I'm more motivated than ever to see this entire package enacted."

"We are excited to see the Protecting Moms Who Served Act signed into law given that this bill supports pregnant and postpartum veterans through maternity care coordination and reporting on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes," said Angela D. Aina, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. "As an alliance committed to maternal health equity, we believe this bill will help to address maternity care barriers experienced by veterans."

"We applaud Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis and Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) for their leadership in advancing the bipartisan Protecting Moms Who Served Act, the first Momnibus Act bill to head to the President for his signature," said Stacey D. Stewart, President and CEO of March of Dimes. "This legislation will make critical investments that will ensure veterans have access to world-class care and support during and after pregnancy. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a maternity care coordination program and provide community maternity care providers with training to address the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum veterans, particularly regarding mental and behavioral health conditions. It also commissions the first-ever comprehensive study on maternal mortality among veterans. With this significant milestone behind us, we now call on Congress to enact the rest of the Momnibus Act. We also urge the Senate to take the next step in making a historic investment in the Momnbus Act by passing the Build Back Better Act without delay."

"The National Birth Equity Collaborative is elated to see the first bill in the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act be signed into law," said Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, Founder and President of the National Birth Equity Collaborative. "The collection of maternal health data is critical to improving coordinated care for pregnant Veterans. We have so many Veterans and specifically Veterans of color, struggling to navigate the VA healthcare system, so it is important we ensure our Veterans get the help and treatment they need. This bill ensures we do just that. We look forward to seeing more of the Momnibus signed into law."

The Protecting Moms Who Served Act codifies and strengthens maternity care coordination programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure veterans receive the high-quality maternal health care and support they have earned. The bill also commissions the first-ever comprehensive study of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities among veterans.

Building on the enactment of the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, every eligible provision of Underwood's Momnibus was included in the Build Back Better Act. The 12 bills in the Momnibus will grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, including midwives and doulas; invest in community-based organizations working to promote maternal health equity; address social determinants of health like housing, nutrition, and environmental conditions; and expand access to maternal mental health care to ensure that every family in America can thrive. Underwood's Momnibus legislation passed the House of Representatives in the Build Back Better Act and awaits consideration in the Senate.

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