Saving Mothers' Lives
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation — and for Black women, the rate is three times higher than for white women. A new federal initiative aims to address this crisis with comprehensive reforms to prenatal care, hospital protocols, and postpartum support.
The Maternal Health Equity Act would extend Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum (up from the current 60 days), fund community-based doula programs, and establish maternal mortality review committees in every state to investigate and prevent maternal deaths.
Key Provisions
- 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage for all new mothers
- Implicit bias training for all healthcare providers involved in maternal care
- $500 million for community-based programs that have been shown to reduce maternal mortality by 40%
- Enhanced data collection to identify and address racial disparities in maternal outcomes
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