Rep. Robin Kelly, Senator Durbin Introduce the CARE For Moms Act

CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY
CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY

 

Rep. Robin Kelly, Senator Durbin Introduce the CARE For Moms Act 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As maternal mortality and morbidity continues to rise across the United States, disproportionately impacting Black women, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced her CARE For Moms Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

The CARE For Moms Act builds upon key provisions from Rep. Kelly's MOMMAs Act, which have already been passed as part of bipartisan initiatives including the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, the Helping MOMS Act, and the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act. 

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 CARE For Moms Act includes the following provisions: 

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 closures. 

Extending Medicaid and CHIP to Oral Health Coverage to pregnant and postpartum women. 

Extend WIC benefits for postpartum and breastfeeding women for two years. 

Require HHS to produce a report on federal funding allocation for maternal health needs. 

"I'm introducing the CARE For Moms Act because moms deserve better, Black moms deserve better,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust. “When we take care of moms and prioritize prenatal and postpartum care, we can help entire families flourish. The reality is that too many moms, and particularly Black moms, are losing their lives. That’s why I’m pushing for change, supporting providers, and providing resources like mobile units and doulas. My goal is clear: to ensure that every mother has access to the care, empowerment, and resources necessary to be the best moms they can be.” 

“In the U.S., Black women are three times more likely die as a result of their pregnancy than White women.  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 joining Rep. Kelly to introduce 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.” 

“As an organization focused on advancing policies that ensure equitable access to high-quality, affordable preventive care for all women, AWHP proudly endorses the CARE for Moms Act and applauds Representative Kelly for taking the initiative to address this crucial issue. Every woman deserves accessible and culturally competent care during all stages of pregnancy – including postpartum – and this bill can help turn the tide in our nation’s preventable maternal health crisis.” – Millicent Gorham, CEO and Board Chair, Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention (AWHP) 

  

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