Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolution

Floor Speech

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Mr. KAINE. Mr. President. There are significant racial and ethnic inequities in maternal and infant mortality rates in the U.S. According to the CDC, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women in 2018 is more than 2.5 times higher than the maternal mortality rate of non-Hispanic white women, and the infant mortality rate of non-Hispanic Black women is more than 2.3 times higher than the infant mortality rate of non-Hispanic white women. Any pregnant woman choosing to have a child should be able to do so safely without regard to income, race, ethnicity, employment status, or any other socio-economic factor.'

This is why Senator Murkowoski and I are introducing the Mothers and Newborns Success Act, which aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality, ensure that all infants can grow up healthy and safe, and protect women's health before, during, and after pregnancy. Our legislation supports innovation in maternal health delivery and improves data collection on maternal mortality and maternal deaths. The bill will help ensure that women are matched with birthing facilities that are risk-appropriate for their particular needs to improve maternal and neonatal care and outcomes. The legislation strengthens support for women during the critical postpartum period, the year after birth, and will help ensure pregnant women get the vaccinations they need and are aware of maternal health warning signs. The bill promotes maternal health research and the use of telehealth to help high-risk expectant mothers in geographically-isolated areas. The Mothers and Newborns Success Act is a significant step toward reducing racial, ethnic, and geographic inequities in maternal and infant health. I am glad that my colleague Rep. Terri Sewell will be introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Given COV1D-19's disproportionate impact on communities of color and recent research from the CDC which finds that pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to be hospitalized and admitted to the ICU, this legislation is especially timely.

No woman should fear for her or her child's health because of her race. We need to ensure more women of color and their children, particularly Black women and children, receive equitable care. COVID-19 and its impact on pregnant women has only underscored the need for urgent action. By advancing evidence-based policies to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, this bill will work to reduce and eliminate preventable maternal and infant mortality in the United States. I'm calling on my Senate colleagues to support this bill and include it in the next coronavirus relief package so we can enact positive systemic changes to make sure more women and newborns thrive and have the maximum chance for success. ______

By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Enzi):

S. 4275. A bill to require recipients of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to provide employment documentation, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.

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