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Statement

The Momnibus Act Will Address the Urgent Crisis of Black Maternal Health

February 8, 2021
Maternal Mortality, Reproductive Justice

Kemi Giwa, 510-493-1766, kemi.giwa@berlinrosen.com

In response to the reintroduction of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act in the U.S. House of Representatives -- a bill expected to address the fact that in the United States, Black women are dying at 3 to 4 times the rate of their white counterparts, and other women and birthing people of color, the Campaign Senior Director for Maternal Justice at MomsRising, Tina Sherman, released the following statement:

“There is no reason why -- in the richest country in the entire world -- pregnant Black women are dying at outrageous rates because of systemic disparities and implicit bias in the health care system. America is failing our Black mothers, and the only way to address this racial justice issue and public health crisis with the urgency it deserves is by immediately passing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act.

“The Momnibus Act will fill gaps in existing legislation and offer much needed investment in addressing Black maternal health during pregnancy and postpartum so that the safety and health of mothers and their babies is prioritized throughout their entire journey. Every year, pregnant Black women across the country --  from all walks of life and every tax bracket -- are robbed of the ability to live full, healthy lives, watch their children grow and families thrive. The investment the Momnibus Act provides in supporting Black mothers is long overdue and absolutely cannot wait. The good news is, Congress can take action right now to protect our mothers and affirm the simple fact that Black moms matter and deserve to enjoy pregnancy without the fear of dying due to failures in our health care system.”

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.