WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) led colleagues in writing a letter to CDC Acting Director Susan Monarez regarding reports that suggest the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) has stopped operations, leaving states, researchers, and health care providers without access to this vital data. The CDC has not clarified why this shutdown occurred.

“We are reaching out to inquire about the current status of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). As a vital initiative jointly operated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and several state, territorial, and local health departments, PRAMS plays a crucial role in collecting data to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, representing over 80 percent of all U.S. live births. This information is of increasing importance as the U.S. is experiencing a maternal health crisis: it has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income nations, increasing rates of complications from pregnancy or childbirth, and persistent disparities in such outcomes,” the lawmakers wrote. 

In response to the alleged shutdown, the lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:

  1. Why is PRAMS, this critical maternal and infant health data program, no longer collecting and reporting data? When did the program stop collecting and reporting data?
  2. Is there a timeline when PRAMS will be operational again? If so, when?
  3. Will PRAMS return to full operability? If yes, on what date is PRAMS expected to return to full operations? 
  4. Was there any communication to states and institutions prior to PRAMS shutting down? If so, what was communicated and when?
  5. Is there a plan in place to collect PRAMS data so there is not a significant gap in maternal and infant health data collection?
  6. If PRAMS will be operational again, were there any changes made? If so, what were they?
  7. Have any CDC personnel working on PRAMS been laid off?

“PRAMS plays a crucial role in reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Preserving this program will strengthen public health efforts, reduce inequities in care, and ultimately save lives. Thank you for your attention to this important matter,” the lawmakers concluded. 

The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Jesús García (D-IL-04), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Henry Johnson (D-GA-04), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04).

To read the full text of the letter, click here.