The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (focus on this bill – Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure that every mom in America receives culturally congruent maternity care and support)
(Perinatal Workforce)
Some ideas:
Problem that led to this bill.
Interest groups are supporting or opposing this legislation, and any other information they believe will be helpful in your advocacy efforts.
How can one help to move it forward.
What are the rationale and strategy of interest groups that support or oppose this bill
Please read carefully and follow the guidelines below.
Guidelines
Use subheadings:
The title, number and a brief description of the legislation. Include hyperlinks.
Name(s) of its sponsor(s). Include name(s) of the sponsor(s) of any companion bill in the other legislative body (state or federal). Include sponsor’s credentials, i.e., what do they know about this problem, and why are they interested in it?
The problem that led to the development of this legislation and the provisions of this bill that are intended to address this problem.
Background and context as needed to understand the problem and how the bill might address it.
The dates of the legislative session if it is state legislature.
Parts 2 to 4 – What is the sponsor’s motivation, the problem the legislation is intended to address and the background and context – might be relatively brief at the proposal stage. Statements of fact should be correctly referenced in APA style. Spelling, grammar, and APA format will be addressed.

ANSWER
**The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act**

**Legislation Description:**
The [Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3633) is a federal bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, designed to address the pressing issue of maternal health disparities among Black women. This legislation seeks to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure that every mom in America receives culturally congruent maternity care and support.

**Sponsor:**
The bill was sponsored by Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, who has a nursing background, bringing valuable expertise to this issue. She serves as the U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 14th congressional district. She has a deep understanding of the problem and is passionate about addressing maternal health disparities.

**The Problem:**
The problem that led to the development of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act is the stark disparity in maternal health outcomes for Black women in the United States. Black women face significantly higher rates of maternal mortality and morbidity compared to their white counterparts. This legislation aims to combat this issue by addressing systemic inequities in maternal healthcare.

**Legislative Provisions:**
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act comprises several bills collectively aimed at improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. Key provisions include:

1. Expanding and diversifying the perinatal workforce: This involves increasing funding for programs that support perinatal workers, particularly those from underrepresented communities.

2. Ensuring that maternal healthcare is culturally congruent: The legislation promotes training and resources to provide culturally sensitive care that meets the unique needs of Black mothers.

3. Addressing social determinants of health: This includes efforts to mitigate the broader factors affecting maternal health, such as socioeconomic disparities and housing instability.

**Background and Context:**
Maternal health disparities among Black women have deep-rooted historical and systemic causes. These disparities are linked to a lack of access to quality healthcare, implicit bias, and socio-economic factors. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act recognizes that addressing these disparities requires a comprehensive approach that spans various facets of healthcare and society.

**Interest Groups:**
Numerous interest groups support this legislation, including women’s health organizations, civil rights organizations, and advocates for racial equity in healthcare. They believe that addressing maternal health disparities is a fundamental step toward achieving health equity.

Opposition to this bill is generally minimal but may come from those who are fiscally concerned about the costs associated with implementing these provisions. However, proponents argue that investing in maternal health ultimately leads to cost savings by reducing complications and improving long-term health outcomes.

**Moving the Bill Forward:**
To support the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, individuals can engage in advocacy efforts such as:

1. Contacting their representatives in Congress to express support for the bill.
2. Participating in grassroots campaigns organized by advocacy groups.
3. Sharing information about the bill and its importance within their communities and on social media.

The key strategy of interest groups supporting this bill is to raise awareness about the disparities in maternal health and advocate for comprehensive, evidence-based solutions. They work to build a broad coalition of support for the legislation and ensure that it receives the necessary attention and votes to become law.

In summary, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act is a critical piece of legislation aimed at addressing the racial disparities in maternal health. Its provisions focus on growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce to provide culturally congruent maternity care and support for Black mothers, addressing a pressing public health issue in the United States.