Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Improve Maternal and Child Health Care Across the Nation

Strategic Insights -

The US is grappling with a maternal health crisis, particularly affecting those living in rural areas and women of color. To address this issue, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) have reintroduced the Healthy Moms and Babies Act, aiming to improve maternal and child health care nationwide. The legislation builds on the senators' previous efforts to deliver high-quality, coordinated care and reduce maternal mortality.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Healthy Moms and Babies Act aims to improve maternal and child health care by coordinating and providing "whole-person" care, supporting outcome-focused and community-based prevention, and expanding the maternal health workforce.
  • The legislation focuses on modernizing maternal health care through telehealth, particularly for women living in rural America and women of color.
  • Between 2018 and 2022, maternal mortality increased from 17.4 per 100,000 births to 22.3 per 100,000 births, according to data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.
  • The bill will enable high-quality coordinated care to vulnerable moms, prevent maternal mortality, and high-risk pregnancies, regardless of a mom's zip code.
  • Senators Grassley and Hassan are long-time supporters of maternal and child health initiatives, having previously chaired and co-sponsored legislation, such as the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program and the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act.
  • The Healthy Moms and Babies Act also aims to reduce maternal mortality and high-risk pregnancies, including C-section births, and improve understanding of the social determinants of health in pregnant and postpartum women.

Statistics:

  • Between 2018 and 2022, maternal mortality increased from 17.4 per 100,000 births to 22.3 per 100,000 births, according to the CDC.
  • The Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, which Senators Grassley and Hassan have supported, provides important support and resources to improve health outcomes for at-risk pregnant moms and families with children from birth to kindergarten.
  • The legislation aims to reduce maternal mortality and high-risk pregnancies, including C-section births.

Sources:

  • "Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) reintroduced the Healthy Moms and Babies Act" (no date)
  • Press release from Senator Chuck Grassley, Reintroduction of the Healthy Moms and Babies Act (no date)
  • National Center for Health Statistics, CDC (no date)
  • Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (no date)