A handful of U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation in what they say is an effort to prevent materal deaths and health disparities.
Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) introduced H.R. 3838, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 last week. This legislation, they say, would assist states in preserving maternal health throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, addressing disparities in maternal health outcomes and finding solutions to enhance health care quality and outcomes for mothers.
Read the full text here.
“Improving health outcomes for all patients, especially mothers, has been my mission since day one in Congress. The nation’s maternal mortality crisis, which severely impacts Georgians, is alarming and preventable. I’m proud to work with my congressional colleagues on the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 so that we can implement policies that give mothers the best health care outcomes possible.”
Rep. Buddy Carter.
“We are facing a maternal health crisis in this country and it’s imperative that we take steps now to address it. This legislation will provide critical resources to better protect women throughout their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period. It will help save lives and ensure we are providing the best care possible to mothers throughout this country.”
Rep. Diana DeGette.
“The tragedy of preventable pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths demands a commitment to ensuring quality care to mothers throughout the pregnancy, including the post-partum period. With close to three decades of experience as an OB/GYN, I firmly believe America should move towards eradicating all avoidable maternal deaths – a single loss is one too many. The passage of this bill holds profound personal significance for families across North Texas and the entire nation, and I express my heartfelt gratitude to the many voices that have contributed to this vital cause.”
Rep. Michael Burgess.
“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is grateful for the introduction of the bipartisan Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act in the House of Representatives this week. This bill will ensure continued support for the critically important work of state maternal mortality review committees, which are vital to our ability to address the rising rates of maternal mortality in the United States,” said ACOG President Verda J. Hicks, MD, FACOG. “Maternal mortality review committees play an essential role in improving maternal health outcomes across the country by advancing our understanding of why and how maternal deaths occur so that they can be prevented. ACOG thanks Representatives Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-TX); Diana DeGette (D-CO); Buddy Carter (R-GA); Robin Kelly (D-IL); Kat Cammack (R-FL); and Kathy Castor (D-FL) for sponsoring this bill’s reauthorization and reaffirming the importance of preventing maternal deaths.”
“As the United States continues to experience the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world, Congress needs to address this crisis through legislation that protects our nation’s mothers and babies. The Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 ensures we’re able to invest and support state Maternal Mortality Review Committees to examine pregnancy-related deaths. It would also disseminate best practices to health care providers including hospitals, perinatal quality collaboratives, among others, on ways to prevent maternal deaths and illness. March of Dimes applauds the leadership of Representatives Burgess and DeGette on this issue, and we look forward to working with Congress to ensure the bill’s swift passage,” said Stacey Y. Brayboy, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs.
Read the full text here.
