Durbin Introduces Care For Moms Act To Address Maternal Mortality

Durbin Introduces Care For Moms Act To Address Maternal Mortality

The CARE for Moms Act is a comprehensive solution to the crisis of mortality and morbidity among American mothers, particularly Black mothers

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Community Access, Resources, and Empowerment (CARE) for Moms Act as maternal mortality and morbidity continues to rise across the United States, disproportionately impacting Black women. The CARE for Moms Act builds upon Durbin's MOMMA Act, a provision of which was passed as part of the American Rescue Plan. The provision ensured that states had the option to expand Medicaid coverage to new moms from 60 days postpartum to a full year postpartum. Illinois was the first state to do so.

U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) introduced companion legislation in the House.

"In the U.S., Black women are three times more likely to die as a result of their pregnancy. It is unacceptable that in this country we are losing mothers and their babies to deaths that could have been prevented with the right interventions and health care," said Durbin. "We must act to address this national tragedy. I'm introducing the CARE for Moms Act to provide more comprehensive and culturally competent maternal and postpartum health care for mothers, especially women of color, and their babies."

The CARE for Moms Act supports the maternal health workforce, promotes access to prenatal and postpartum care, and provides the resources that moms and babies need to thrive. The legislation includes provisions to:

• Establish a State-Based Perinatal Quality Collaborative Grant Program;
• Establish Regional Centers of Excellence to tackle implicit bias and promote cultural competence among health professionals;
• Support federal efforts to grow and diversify the doula workforce;
• Extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers in all 50 states;
• Establish grants for Rural Obstetric Mobile Units;
• Require 90-day prior notification to HHS for hospital obstetric unit closure;
• Extend Medicaid and CHIP to Oral Health Coverage to pregnant and postpartum women;
• Extend WIC benefits for postpartum and breastfeeding women for two years; and
• Require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to produce a report on federal funding allocation for maternal health needs.

The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any wealthy nation, with 18.6 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2023. This is nearly double the maternal mortality rate of peer countries. The shocking statistics cut across geography, education level, income, and socio-economic status. The United States also ranks 32 out of the 38 wealthiest nations when it comes to infant mortality.

"While most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, the U.S. remains one of the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth - and access to maternity care is a critical part of the crisis. Our latest report, Nowhere To Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S., found that 5.8 million women and 358,000 infants live in counties without full access to maternity care, putting families at greater risk of delayed care and poor outcomes. March of Dimes strongly supports the reintroduction of the CARE for Moms Act, which would address maternal health outcomes and barriers to care. We thank Representative Robin Kelly and Senator Richard Durbin for their leadership in advancing solutions to our nation's maternal health crisis and working toward a healthier start for every mom and baby," said Stacey Y. Brayboy, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs for March of Dimes.

The CARE for Moms Act is endorsed by March of Dimes; the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs; the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; and the National Partnership for Women & Families.

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