The NWHN HEALTH Program 

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Advocacy Goal

We advocate for maternal health with a goal to decrease racial disparity in maternal health and reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in the State of Maryland and Nationwide.  ​

Legislation

About The Black Maternal Health Momnibus ActBackground: The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country and significant disparities in outcomes – and the crisis is only worsening: the maternal mortality rate in 2021 was 89 percent higher than the rate in 2018. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act will address this crisis through historic investments that comprehensively address every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States.
Bill summary:
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act includes 13 individual bills that will:

1. Make critical investments in social determinants of health that influence maternal health outcomes, like housing, transportation, and nutrition.

1. Extend WIC eligibility in the postpartum and breastfeeding periods.

1. Provide funding to community-based organizations that are working to improve maternal health outcomes and promote equity.
   
   
2. Increase funding for programs to improve maternal health care for veterans.

1. Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure that every mom in America receives maternal health care and support from people they trust.
   
   
2. Improve data collection processes and quality measures to better understand the causes of the maternal health crisis in the United States and inform solutions to address it.

1. Support moms with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
   
   
2. Improve maternal health care and support for incarcerated moms.

1. Invest in digital tools to improve maternal health outcomes in underserved areas.

1. Promote innovative payment models to incentivize high-quality maternity care and non-clinical support during and after pregnancy.

1. Invest in federal programs to address maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.

1. Invest in community-based initiatives to reduce levels of and exposure to climate change-related risks for moms and babies.

1. Promote maternal vaccinations to protect the health of moms and babies.

Momnibus legislation: Each of the 13 titles of the Momnibus was introduced as a standalone bill by a Member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. A summary of each of those bills can be found here.
Momnibus support: The Momnibus is endorsed by more than 200 organizations, listed here. Quotes in support of the legislation can be found here. A list of Momnibus cosponsors in the House can be found here. A list of Momnibus cosponsors in the Senate can be found here.

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Current Legislation Advocacy

Policy Brief

Support the Connected MOM Act. Telehealth and technology enabled devices have proven to be key assets in the medical provider’s toolbox for prevention and improved health outcomes for several conditions when direct patient care is unavailable. is critical to addressing maternal mortality and morbidity by helping screen new mothers for high blood pressure and related treatable and preventable conditions, such as preeclampsia, that lead to unnecessary and avoidable maternal deaths and adverse health outcomes. The Connected Maternal Online Monitoring (MOM) Act, S. 712, introduced by Sens. Cassidy (R-La.) and Hassan (D-N.H.), would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to send a report to Congress identifying barriers to coverage of remote physiologic devices (e.g., pulse oximeters, blood pressure cuffs, scales, blood glucose monitors) under state Medicaid programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women. This bipartisan legislation would also require CMS to update state resources, such as state Medicaid telehealth toolkits, to align with evidence-based recommendations to help decrease maternal mortality and morbidity .Medicaid pays for almost half of all births nationally in the U.S. each year, and it plays a critical role in providing maternity related services, covering the vast majority of births for women of color and those living in rural areas. The American Medical Association strongly supports this legislation which would make a meaningful difference in addressing the unacceptably high rate of maternal mortality in the U.S., especially for women from marginalized populations.