Congresswoman Maxine Waters Introduces Legislation Addressing Maternal Health Crisis in Low-Income and Rural Communities

Washington, D.C – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) introduced the Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act, which would establish a new initiative to expand and improve maternal and infant health services in minority, low-income, rural, and medically underserved communities. According to the CDC, over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. were preventable. 

“Maternal mortality rates are still tragically and unacceptably high for women across the country. That’s unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters. “All women, regardless of race or income, deserve to have a healthy pregnancy and give birth to healthy babies. My bill will help address health inequities in low-income and rural communities by ensuring they have the resources needed to protect women and infants.”  

Medicaid is the largest single payer of pregnancy-related services. If the Republican budget cuts Medicaid, over 40% of births in the U.S. may no longer be covered. Additionally, the cuts could lead to the closure of rural hospitals, particularly maternity wards. This legislation would create a new competitive grant program that will be used to expand maternal health services including prenatal care, postnatal care for infants, and postpartum care for mothers.  

Alongside Waters, this bill is cosponsored by Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), André Carson (IN-07), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Shomari C. Figures (AL-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson Jr. (GA-04), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). 

Read the full text of the bill HERE.