UNDERWOOD'S "MOMNIBUS' PASSES HOUSE IN BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; MAKES LARGEST INVESTMENT TO ADVANCE BIRTH EQUITY IN AMERICAN HISTORY

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) celebrated the inclusion of every eligible provision of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R. 959) in the Build Back Better Act, which passed the House. As a co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Black Maternal Health Caucus with Representative Alma Adams (NC-12), Underwood introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R. 959) in February 2021, a sweeping package of 12 bills to end the U.S. maternal health crisis. Every eligible provision of Underwood's Momnibus legislation was included in the Build Back Better Act, along with a permanent expansion of yearlong postpartum Medicaid coverage in every state--the largest investment in American history to eliminate preventable maternal mortality, end racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes, and advance birth equity across the country. 

The Momnibus provisions of the Build Back Better Act, led by Underwood, will grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, including midwives and doulas; invest in community-based organizations working to promote maternal health equity; address social determinants of health like housing, nutrition, and environmental conditions; and expand access to maternal mental health care to ensure that every family in America can thrive. 

"I'm proud to see my Momnibus legislation pass the House through the Build Back Better Act. Combined with critical expansion of yearlong postpartum Medicaid coverage, this will be the largest investment in American history to save moms' lives and advance birth equity and justice across the country," said Rep. Underwood. "I am grateful to President Biden and Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Senator Booker, and Committee Chairs for their support of my Momnibus legislation and their leadership to address our nation's maternal health crisis. We need to pass the Build Back Better Act in the Senate immediately and get it to the President's desk to be signed into law: moms can't wait."

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