Cortez Masto, Booker Introduce Legislation to End America’s Maternal Health Crisis

Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the Momnibus Act, a legislative package designed to end the maternal mortality crisis and address the disparities in care that contribute to a disproportionately high Black maternal mortality rate. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswomen Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.-14) and Alma S. Adams (D-N.C.-12).

The United States has the highest rate of maternal deaths of any high-income nation, and the maternal mortality rate is disproportionately high for Black mothers. Black women face a pregnancy-related mortality rate that is more than three times higher than the rate for White women. But this is a solvable problem - more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in America are preventable.

"Starting a family should be a joyous time in a person's life, not a time of anxiety, medical complications, and loss," said Senator Cortez Masto. "There is no excuse for the United States having a much higher maternal mortality rate than its peer countries, and it's time to find solutions. I'm proud to introduce this legislation to invest in better care for new moms and to end the high rate of maternal mortality, particularly among Black women."

The Momnibus Act is composed of 14 bills that would:

• Invest in social determinants of health - including housing, transportation, and nutrition - to reduce preventable risks disproportionately affecting Black women;
• Extend the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during postpartum and breastfeeding periods;
• Increase maternal health care funding for veterans;
• Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce;
• Improve maternal health data collection;
• Expand maternal mental health and substance use disorder support;
• Invest in digital tools to expand access to care in underserved communities;
• Strengthen federal programs addressing maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies;
• Invest in research to eliminate racial disparities and prevent maternal deaths; and
• Promote maternal vaccinations to protect moms and infants.

The Momnibus Act is endorsed by more than 250 organizations. View the full list of endorsers here. To read the full text of the bill, click here.

Senator Cortez Masto is a champion of Nevada's mothers and has consistently fought to ensure that they receive the health care they need. She has introduced legislation to ensure health care access for pregnant women and to protect labor and delivery units in rural hospitals and hospitals in underserved communities. The Senator has demanded answers from the Trump Administration about Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) continued mistreatment of pregnant women. Cortez Masto has also consistently fought for improved health care for all Americans. She has led efforts to lower drug costs for seniors, hold Big Pharma accountable, and expand Medicare drug price negotiation.

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