Healthy Habits: Momnibus Legislation

The US has the worst rate of maternal deaths in the developed world. According to the CDC, in 2019 - American women are more than twice as likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than they were in 1987. 

Mom Congress (a coalition of nonprofit organizations) recently spent three days bringing together moms and those who support them to talk with government leaders about what matters most in maternal and child health. During this time, Mom Congress partnered with members of Congress to present legislation meant to address the barriers that women face and help ensure high quality care for every woman, every time. This group of legislation is known as the “Momnibus." 

I had a chance to do an interview to learn more.

Why are women dying?

• Uneven quality of care - Many hospitals have no standardized protocols or guidelines in place to prevent or address the most common causes of maternal death.
• Disparities because of race, ethnicity, income and other factors - Black women and American Indian/Alaska Native women in the US have a three to four times greater risk of dying from a complication of pregnancy than their white counterparts.
• Too little support prenatally and postpartum - $4 out of every $5 spent on pregnancy and childbirth related care is concentrated in the period around labor and birth leaving few resources for effective preventive services before and following childbirth, including nutrition and smoking counseling, how to recognized important warning signs, and mental health screening and counseling.
• No one is listening - Too often women and their families tell of experiences where they knew something was wrong, but were ignored or dismissed. That can result in complications worsening, sometimes leading to death.
• Shortages of healthcare providers - Especially in rural and urban areas, hospitals and maternity units have been steadily closing. Nearly half the counties in the US have NO OB/GYN. More than half have no certified nurse midwives.

How can Congress address these critical needs?

Legislation can address the barriers that women face and help ensure high quality care for every woman, ever time. Quality measures and safety protocols help identify and treat complications early and address them before they become life-threatening. Workforce development and provider training on evidence- based maternity care and implicit bias are critical to reducing medical errors, improving respectful care, and giving expecting families options selecting a provider. Culturally appropriate prenatal and postpartum support services like care coordination and home visits lead to healthier moms and babies. Medicaid coverage of doula care would expand access to this high-value model that improves childbirth outcomes, leads to greater patient-satisfaction, and holds the potential for cost savings.  Increasing integration of midwives into the health care system will ease provider shortages, improving family’s access to care in underserved areas and communities.