Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the “Momnibus Act” in Congress. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications as non-Hispanic white women in the United States, a country where maternal mortality is already twice as high as comparable nations. This act bundles together 12 separate bills that will help address the systemic causes of the higher mortality rate. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach released the following statement:
“This act is a critical step in eliminating the racial disparities and maternal mortality issues present in our health care system, especially for Black mothers. Senator Booker, Congresswoman Adams and Congresswoman Underwood have long been champions of fighting for equity in our health care system, and this legislation is yet another example of their hard work. Racial disparities have been exacerbated and further exposed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and this bill provides new measures to eliminate inequity in the maternal health care system. Provisions in the ‘Momnibus’ Act have broad, bipartisan support, and Congress should do everything in its power to pass this crucial legislation.”