Encourages Others to Back Comprehensive Maternal Mortality Prevention Legislation
Matteson, IL-(ENEWSPF)- In advance on the second 2020 Democratic Presidential Debate, SELF magazine asked all of the 2020 Presidential candidates about their plans to tackle America’s growing maternal mortality crisis. To answer the question, former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper cited the MOMMA’s Act, introduced by Congresswoman Robin Kelly.
Over the last two decades, the rate of maternal mortality in America has doubled. Each year, America loses 700-900 moms to pregnancy or birth-related complications, more than 50 percent of these deaths are entirely preventable. A disproportionate number of mothers who lose their lives are women of color. Nationally, African American mothers are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy and birth complication than their white counterparts.
Mark Ranneberger, the campaign spokesperson for Governor Hickenlooper, told SELF: “Governor Hickenlooper believes that every woman has a right to safe and affordable maternal care. A Hickenlooper administration would work with Congress to pass the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act to expand Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days post-birth to one year and standardize data collection and analysis so we can better understand and address the root causes of elevated levels of maternal morbidity rates, particularly for the Black and Native American communities.”
“I appreciate Governor Hickenlooper using his national platform to increase awareness about the MOMMA’s Act, a comprehensive and workable strategy to prevent mothers from dying,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, author of the MOMMA’s Act and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. “In 2019, starting or growing your family should never cost your life. As this campaign continues, I encourage all candidates to highlight this health crisis in our communities and offer their solutions. I’m happy to speak with any one – candidate or otherwise – who is interested in saving mothers lives.”
The MOMMA’s Act uses a five-pronged approach to address and reduce maternal deaths. It:
- Establishes national obstetric emergency protocols through a federal expert committee,
- Ensures dissemination of best-shared practices and coordination amongst maternal mortality review committees,
- Further standardizes data collection and reporting,
- Improves access to culturally competent care throughout the care continuum, and
- Expands Medicaid coverage to new mom’s entire post-partum period (1 year).
The MOMMA’s Act has been endorsed by the American Medical Association (AMA), National Medical Association (NMA), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, American College of Nurse-Midwives, American College of Physicians (ACP), Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American Public Health Association and American Society for Reproductive Medicine, March of Dimes, Black Women’s Health Imperative, EverThrive Illinois, Families USA, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, First Focus Campaign for Children, National Partnership for Women & Families, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, The Preeclampsia Foundation, The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Children’s Dental Health Project, Every Mother Counts, PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, Expecting Health at Genetic Alliance, The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation, Klamath Basin Oral Health Coalition, Power to Decide, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, Organization of Teratology Information Specialists, 2020 Mom, The HER Foundation, Maternal and Child Health Access, Patient Safety Movement Foundation, National Accreta Foundation, Arcora Foundation, National WIC Association, National Birth Equity Collaborative, MomsRising, WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, Advocate Aurora Health, The Center for Reproductive Rights, 1,000 Days, Jon C. Burr Foundation, KinderSmile Foundation, Oral Health Kansas, Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice (OHNEP) and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
This is news from Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s office.
