Press Releases
WASHINGTON—Today, Black Maternal Health Caucus co-chairs Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Alma Adams (NC-12) applauded the Energy and Commerce Committee for considering two bills included in the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 (H.R. 959) in the Subcommittee on Health. The Social Determinants for Moms Act (H.R. 943) led by Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) would make key investments to address social determinants of health that impact maternal health outcomes, including housing, nutrition, and transportation. The Data to Save Moms Act (H.R. 925) led by Rep.
WASHINGTON— Today, Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Alma Adams (NC-12), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led 163 Members of Congress urging House and Senate Leadership to prioritize policies to address the U.S. maternal health crisis in the next coronavirus recovery package. The members are pushing for the inclusion of Underwood's Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R. 959) and a permanent expansion of yearlong postpartum Medicaid coverage.
WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced the Climate and Health Protection Act to strengthen the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Climate and Health Program. This program was established to help state and local governments prepare for the public health consequences of climate change by translating climate science for health professionals, developing decision support tools for local leaders, and providing grants and technical assistance for projects to improve preparation and resilience.
WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced her support to upgrade the facilities of the Illinois Air National Guard at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield. The Congresswoman recommended the project for Community Projects Funding (CPF) through the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) in the National Defense Authorization Act. CPF is a new initiative for Fiscal Year 2022 that allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent.
WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) helped introduce bipartisan legislation to address heart disease in South Asians. The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act, led by Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Joe Wilson (SC-02), aims to raise awareness and investigate the alarming rate of heart disease in South Asian communities. Underwood previously co-sponsored the legislation in the 116th Congress.
WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) released the following statement announcing that eight transportation and infrastructure projects in the 14th District of Illinois have been included in the INVEST America Act. The INVEST in America Act is comprehensive surface transportation legislation that would modernize our roads, bridges, transit, rail and so much more. The transformational bill lays the groundwork for an infrastructure package for the modern era.
WASHINGTON— Today, in a House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) continued her work to improve the quality of health care veterans receive at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and to secure jobs with good wages for veterans. In the budget request hearing with VA Secretary Denis McDonough, Underwood highlighted the long-term mental health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on veterans and emphasized the importance of VA's request for a $1.5 billion increase in funding for veterans' mental health services.
WASHINGTON—Today, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced new legislation to help more Americans access the health care they need. The Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act would require private insurance plans to cover three annual primary care visits and three annual outpatient mental health or substance use disorder visits without charging a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible-related fee. The legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Katie Porter (CA-45).
WASHINGTON—Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Lee Zeldin (NY-01) and Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16) introduced the Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act to make health care more affordable for veterans.
WASHINGTON—Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) delivered a speech on the undemocratic efforts to delegitimize 2020 elections, including an effort by her 2020 opponent to contest her own election without credible evidence. The speech follows the House passage of a resolution dismissing the election contest of the 14th District of Illinois. Underwood thanked the House Administration Committee for its bipartisan, unanimous rejection of her opponent's baseless contest and emphasized the danger of efforts to violate the will of the voters.