WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Andy Kim (D-NJ) reintroduced a bipartisan resolution to officially designate January 23 as Maternal Health Awareness Day. The resolution emphasizes the importance of raising public awareness about maternal health outcomes and promotes initiatives to address and eliminate its disparities.
“The United States spends more on health care than any other country, but we still have the highest rate of maternal mortality among our peer countries,” said Senator Booker. “It’s disheartening that Congress has failed to pass comprehensive federal legislation to protect mothers and their babies, and ensure moms receive the essential care they need throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journeys. I remain committed to working across the aisle to create and implement effective policies that address the maternal mortality crisis and promote equitable maternal health care across our nation.”
“Improving maternal care is not a red or blue issue, it’s an American issue,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in recognizing National Maternal Health Awareness Day, while acknowledging we have more work to do to reduce maternal mortality. I will continue to work across the aisle with my colleagues to improve health outcomes for women throughout their pregnancy journeys and support moms across our nation.”
“In a country of such great wealth and power, it is heartbreaking that we continue to let down expecting mothers who deserve to feel safe and supported,” said Senator Kim. “The pain of our country’s maternal mortality crisis is felt harshly in New Jersey, disproportionately hurting Black women and devastating too many families. With this resolution, I don’t just stand for awareness but call on my colleagues in Congress to see this urgency, understand the vast majority of maternal deaths are preventable, and help push forward on tangible action to protect lives and be there for growing families.”
“As the maternal health crisis in the U.S. continues, it’s critical to continue to shine a spotlight and bring national attention to the importance of prioritizing maternal health. ACOG is grateful to Senator Booker and Senator Britt for their support in making sure that across the country, people learn about Maternal Health Awareness Day and understand the need for policies that will empower us to make a meaningful difference to improve maternal health outcomes,” Stella Dantas, MD, FACOG, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Senator Booker’s resolution notes that as many as 60,000 women in the United States suffer from a severe maternal morbidity, which includes unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that can result in significant short- and long-term health consequences, and recognizes community-based maternal health models that have been proven to improve the health of birthing people throughout the country. With one-third of maternal mortality cases occurring between one week and one year postpartum, expanding access to health care after delivery nationwide is a vital step to saving lives.
In 2018, New Jersey led the way by becoming the first state to acknowledge Maternal Health Awareness Day, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Tara Hansen Foundation, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and other essential organizations dedicated to raising awareness and combating maternal mortality. Since this historic recognition, numerous state entities, advocacy groups, community organizations, and others have united on January 23 to elevate awareness surrounding maternal health. This day serves as a platform to educate healthcare providers on maternal mortality, urging birthing individuals, families, and healthcare professionals to identify and discuss potential signs of emergencies.
The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Peter Welch (D-VT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
The full text of the resolution can be found here.