Washington, DC — Today, Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2023, which is a package of 13 bills to address critical drivers of maternal mortality. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women in the United States. Maternal mortality in the United States is higher than in any high-income nation. An estimated 80 percent of these deaths are preventable, and the problem is getting worse: recent CDC data show a 40 percent increase in maternal deaths between 2020 and 2021, making passing the Momnibus legislation and requiring Medicaid to provide 12 months of postpartum coverage more urgent than ever before. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach released the following statement:
“It is unacceptable that the United States loses more moms to preventable pregnancy-related deaths than any other high-income country, and this problem has only worsened over the past 30 years. This tragedy disproportionately befalls Black, Indigenous, and rural families. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act is essential legislation that addresses the leading causes of poor maternal health outcomes, and it will save lives and help end the maternal health crisis. Protect Our Care commends Representatives Underwood and Adams and Senator Booker for their tireless leadership to improve the pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum experience in America. Congress should pass this legislation without delay.”