Congresswoman Maxine Waters Introduces New Initiative to Combat Maternal Health Crisis in Minority & Low-Income Communities

“Nothing could be more important for women and their families than healthy pregnancies and healthy babies,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Yet, maternal and infant deaths in the United States are tragically and unacceptably high, and the crisis is especially severe among African American mothers and their babies.”

The Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act is urgently needed to improve maternal and infant health.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, introduced the Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act, with the support of 28 of her congressional colleagues. The bill will establish a new initiative to expand and improve maternal and infant health services in minority, low-income, and medically underserved communities.

“Nothing could be more important for women and their families than healthy pregnancies and healthy babies,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Yet, maternal and infant deaths in the United States are tragically and unacceptably high, and the crisis is especially severe among African American mothers and their babies.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maternal mortality rates for all racial groups increased significantly since 2018. By 2021, there were 33 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in the United States. Among black women, there were 70 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. Furthermore, black infants have 2.4 times the infant mortality rate as white infants, and they are almost four times as likely to die from complications related to low birthweight as white infants. Moreover, African American mothers are twice as likely to receive late or no prenatal care as white mothers.

“We cannot accept such high rates of maternal and infant deaths in the United States of America,” said Congresswoman Waters. “We can do better!”

The Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act will create a new competitive grant program for community health centers and other public and non-profit health care providers that serve minority, low-income, and medically underserved communities. Grants will be used to expand maternal health services, including prenatal care, postnatal care for infants, and postpartum care for mothers; improve health outcomes; and reduce disparities.

“The Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act is urgently needed to address the maternal health crisis throughout the United States,” said Congresswoman Waters. “I am proud that so many of my colleagues have joined me in this important effort.”

Full list of original cosponsors: Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Alma Adams (D-NC), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Andre’ Carson (D-IN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Hank Johnson (D-GA), John B. Larson (D-CT), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), David Trone (D-MD), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).