Underwood, Adams Host Second Black Maternal Health Caucus Stakeholder Summit
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Alma Adams (NC-12) called on Congress to immediately pass the Momnibus Act at the Black Maternal Health Caucus 2023 Stakeholder Summit, held at the U.S. Capitol on August 1. The event highlighted progress in improving maternal health outcomes, spotlighted opportunities to advance the Momnibus and key maternal health legislative priorities, and helped build partnerships and strategies to end the maternal health crisis in the United States.
Photos from the event can be found here.
“We must pass the full Momnibus to save moms’ lives and finally end the maternal health crisis in our country,” said Underwood. “I was thrilled to convene this Summit and work with our partners in Congress, the White House, public and private-sector leaders, and community-based groups to develop strategies to pass the full Momnibus. We can make sure that pregnancy and childbirth is not a time of fear or danger, but an experience filled with joy and anticipation. Every family deserves a healthy mom and quality maternal care during and after their birthing experience; it should not be the privilege of a few. America must demonstrate that caring for our moms is integral to improving our country.”
“Our nation must address the Black maternal health crisis, and the Momnibus is the comprehensive solution,” said Adams. “The Momnibus was built with the support of a historic coalition of nearly 200 health care providers, Black mothers, policymakers, researchers, and maternal health advocates. This summit reconvened this powerful coalition to celebrate and uplift these voices, provide space for new collaboration, and concentrate our efforts to addressing this crisis. As we push for its final passage, the Momnibus rides the momentum of the work advocates have done for decades. The Momnibus must pass this Congress. Our mamas can’t wait.”
The Summit was headlined by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure; Health Resources and Services Administrator Carole Johnson; Representative Lucy McBath (GA-07); and Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). Other speakers included community advocates and experts, government officials, and industry leaders.
The Momnibus, comprised of 13 pieces of maternal focused legislation, is the only comprehensive legislation in Congress to address America’s maternal health crisis. It makes critical investments addressing social determinants that impact maternal health, provides funding for community-based organizations, advances initiatives to grow and diversify the perinatal health workforce, expands access to mental health care for moms, and combats the negative effects of climate change on maternal and infant health.
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.
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