Momnibus Investments in the Build Back Better Act

We are proud to support the historic Momnibus and postpartum Medicaid investments in the Build Back Better Act. Too many moms in the U.S. don’t get the maternal healthcare they need and deserve. 

What is Included in the Build Back Better Act?

• Momnibus Provisions: Aims to improve maternal health and reduce maternal mortality in the U.S. by making critical investments in social determinants of heath that influence maternal health outcomes, such as race, income and location. 
• Postpartum Medicaid Expansion: Requires all states to permanently extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months to close the coverage gap and improve maternal health during the critical postpartum period. 
• Paid Leave: Proposes a national paid family leave policy which will help improve:
  • Mental and physical well-being of new parents and infants
  • Workforce retention
  • Gender equity
  • Breastfeeding support

It takes a village to raise a child. But first, that village must safely deliver a healthy baby to a healthy mom-and that takes all of us. We must do better. Too many moms in the U.S., especially Black moms, don’t get the maternal healthcare they need and deserve, too many moms die or nearly do, and far too many suffer devastating long-term health consequences.

“It takes a village to raise a child. But first, that village must safely deliver a healthy baby to a healthy mom-and that takes all of us. We must do better. Too many moms in the U.S., especially Black moms, don’t get the maternal healthcare they need and deserve, too many moms die or nearly do, and far too many suffer devastating long-term health consequences. Every maternal death is unthinkable, but any death that could have been prevented with the proper care should be considered unacceptable. That’s why the What to Expect Project and I urge Congress to pass and President Biden to sign into law the historic maternal health equity investments in the Build Back Better Act. Expanding and extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to a full year will save lives, ensuring that more moms will get covered and stay covered. Strengthening the perinatal workforce, including doulas and mental healthcare providers, will provide better, more respectful and responsive maternal healthcare, ensuring that moms will be seen, heard, cared for and about. The challenges are greater than ever – but so is the urgency of our collective responsibility to deliver that care, without exceptions, without disparities, and definitely without the arbitrary use-by dates that currently allow too many moms to fall through the cracks in maternal healthcare. We’re grateful for the leadership and tireless efforts and commitment from Representatives Underwood and Adams and the Black Maternal Health Caucus to promote equitable and empowering care for all moms.” – Heidi Murkoff, Founder, What To Expect Project; Author What to Expect When You’re Expecting

We urge Congress to pass and President Biden to sign into law the maternal health investments in the Build Back Better Act. Contact your representatives and urge them to support the historic maternal health equity investments in the Build Back Better Act! 

We’re grateful for the leadership and tireless efforts and commitment from Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and the Black Maternal Health Caucus for promoting equitable and empowering care for ALL moms.