Baldwin Introduces Comprehensive Bill to Combat Maternal Health Crisis, Support Mothers and Babies
Package includes Baldwin’s legislation to expand critical workforce supporting expectant and new mothers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Momnibus Act, a comprehensive legislative package designed to end the nation’s maternal health crisis and directly confront the devastating disparities that continue to claim the lives of Black mothers at alarming rates. The package includes Senator Baldwin’s Perinatal Workforce Act, legislation to help grow the perinatal workforce by creating grant programs to increase the number of maternity care providers and workers who provide care during and after pregnancy.
“Comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care shouldn’t be a luxury, but right now cost, workforce shortages, and decades of underinvestment in women’s health are putting moms and babies at risk. And, these roadblocks are even worse for Black women in our communities. If we want to give every child and their family a fair shot, we need to start before these kids are born and really invest in the support new and expecting moms need,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in making this overdue investment in our kids, mothers, and the workforce who cares for them to help every child get the strong start they deserve.”
For years, the United States has had the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, with stark racial disparities. In 2024, Black women faced a pregnancy-related mortality ratio more than three times higher than White women—even though more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
The Momnibus Act makes targeted, high-impact investments to address the drivers of the Black maternal health crisis, including social determinants of health, access to culturally congruent care, maternal mental health, community-based supports, and the effects of climate change and public health emergencies on Black mothers and babies.
The Momnibus Act is composed of 14 bills that will:
- Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure Black mothers receive care from providers who understand their lived experiences.
- Invest in social determinants of health—including housing, transportation, and nutrition—to reduce preventable risks disproportionately affecting Black moms.
- Extend WIC eligibility during postpartum and breastfeeding periods.
- Fund community-based organizations trusted by Black families and rooted in the communities they serve.
- Increase maternal health care funding for veterans, including Black women veterans who face unique barriers.
- Improve maternal health data collection to identify and eliminate disparities.
- Expand maternal mental health and substance use disorder support, with attention to the needs of Black moms.
- Improve care for incarcerated mothers, who are disproportionately Black.
- Invest in digital tools to expand access to care in underserved communities.
- Promote innovative payment models that incentivize high-quality, culturally congruent care.
- Strengthen federal programs addressing maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.
- Support climate resilience initiatives for moms and babies, including Black families disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards.
- Invest in research to eliminate racial disparities and prevent maternal deaths.
- 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 one-pager, click here.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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