Palm Beach County NOW

National Organization for Women

Advocating for Women & Girls

Donate Join / Renew NOW

  • About
    • Board Members
    • Feminist Fund
    • Contact
  • Issues
    • NOW Priority Issues
    • Crisis in the Family Courts
      • Court Watch–FACTS
    • Slavery and Human Trafficking
    • Pro-Abortion and Health – updated
      • Progress FL Updated Resources
      • Reproductive Health
        • Reproductive Health Fact Sheet
    • Our Kenyan Feminists
  • Get Involved
    • Join or Renew
  • Events
    • Event Gallery
    • Women’s Equality Day 2020
    • Past SBA Luncheons
    • Events in Our History
    • Photos from before 2010
  • News
  • Resources
    • Anti-Racist Resources
    • LGBTIAQX+ Resources + News
  • WIN, Inc. (voting advice)
    • VOTE BY MAIL
    • Voting Advice and Information
    • Start W.O.K.E.

February 8, 2021 by NOW National

NOW Is Proud to Support the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act

Released on February 8, 2021

Historic Legislative Package to End Maternal Mortality and Close Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Outcomes 

NOW is proud to endorse the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, a historic legislative package unveiled today by Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Alma Adams (NC-12), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. 

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 will build on existing maternal health legislation, like policies to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage, with 12 bills to comprehensively address every dimension of America’s maternal health crisis. It makes investments in social determinants of health, community-based organizations, the growth and diversification of the perinatal workforce, improvements in data collection, and support for moms and babies exposed to climate change-related risks. In addition to direct efforts to improve Black maternal health outcomes, the Momnibus focuses on high-risk populations, including veterans, incarcerated people, Native Americans, and other women and birthing people of color. 

The United States has the highest pregnancy-related death rate in the developed world and the only rate that is rising. The maternal mortality rate is significantly higher among Black women, who are three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related complications. Other birthing people of color, including Hispanic, Native American, and AAPI women, also suffer from disproportionate rates of adverse maternal health outcomes. 

“Black and Brown mothers have been suffering at the hands of an inequitable American health care system for centuries, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made this painful fact clearer than ever,” said Christian F. Nunes, president of the National Organization for Women. “This is a crisis we cannot ignore a moment longer, and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act will begin the work of closing the maternal health care gap and getting all moms the medical care they need and deserve.” 

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act is composed of 12 individual bills. The legislation will provide funding to community–based organizations working to improve maternal health outcomes and promote equity, invest in programs to support maternal mental health, and much more. 

Contact: Press Team, [email protected],

About NOW National

Take Action

Attend an Event

Become a Palm Beach County NOW Member

Learn More

Palm Beach County NOW

Palm Beach County NOW is a grassroots feminist organization fighting for women’s issues and justice since 1972.

Learn more about us.

Contact

Mailing Address
Palm Beach County NOW
P.O. Box 7322
Delray Beach, FL 33482

Phone
888-394-0004

E-Mail
[email protected]

Social

  • Facebook