HARRISBURG, Pa. — Black Maternal Health Week kicked off this Thursday and advocates are looking to bring attention to the rising maternal mortality rate in Pennsylvania.
While there are underlying causes for Black women to have complications during pregnancy, experts with the Centers for Disease Control say these complications are over 80% preventable. Lawmakers also state that deaths can be prevented with more laws and bills.
Momnibus, a legislative package to encourage more funding, was presented in the State House of Representatives in late March.
“We see everything we see wonderful births, but then there are times when adverse outcomes happen, and it impacts us all,” said Sharee Livingston, OBGYN UPMC Magee-Womens who is also a founding board member of Patients R Waiting and co-founder of the diversifying Dula initiative.
The Momnibus package looks to address every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities both in and outside of the hospital. All bills were brought by the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus advocating for Black birthing bodies.
“There are things that exist outside of the office, outside of the hospital setting that contributes to these health disparities,” said Dr. Livingston.
Representative Gina H. Curry sponsored and cosponsored several bills in the Momnibus package. Curry said that the more protection Black moms received, the more improved maternal health for all would be.
“You may not be directly impacted because you’re not that race, but I will say that taking care of the most disparities in a situation that we know as maternal healthcare is going to help everyone in the situation, no matter what your race is,” said Curry.
The bills would:
Require health-related boards within the Department of State to complete implicit bias training as part of continuing education requirements.
Extend Medicaid coverage to doula services, as well as establish the Doula Advisory Board to set standards and requirements for doulas.
Require health insurance to cover doula services.
Require health insurance to cover blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum enrollees.
Expand Medicaid coverage of blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum enrollees.
Designate maternal health deserts to target investments in maternal health care services.
Enhance access to mental health services for pregnant or postpartum patients.
Establish a program to distribute essential resources to new mothers.
Advocates and organizers say they’re hoping to see one of these bills in the 2024-2025 budget so the work can start to prevent more Black moms from dying. For more information on the Momnibus package, click here.
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