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Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023

Floor Speech

Date: March 5, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Schrier for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act. It is critical legislation that I am proud to co-lead to address the maternal mortality crisis in America, unconscionably the worst in the developed world.

Each of us deserves to live a healthy life. For mothers, for women, that includes access to the care they need before, during, and after pregnancy. Pregnancy in America right now is too often traumatic or is life-threatening, and our maternal health crisis in many places is tearing families apart.

This is particularly true for Black women, who often experience worse outcomes due to disparities in access to medical care, the care that they need and that they deserve.

Our bill will help recommit to the health of our neighbors by ensuring that more moms can have safe pregnancies by improving health outcomes for the patients at the highest risk of maternal mortality and morbidity.

In the Tampa Bay area, I am proud to represent outstanding OB/GYNs and providers, clinics like Evara Health or organizations like REACHUP, the Healthy Start Coalitions, and more. They have worked tirelessly to address our maternal mortality rates and improve the quality of care for new and expecting mothers.

This bill will help them and similar organizations across the country, in partnership with the CDC, by building upon the comprehensive framework of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act, supporting Maternal Mortality Review Committees, and strengthening lifesaving initiatives to improve health outcomes.

For example, Florida's Maternal Mortality Review Committee has successfully created initiatives to reduce deaths associated with postpartum bleeding and opioid use disorder.

We have to do more. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address America's maternal mortality crisis through research, prevention, and evidence-based practices.

I thank my partners on the Committee on Energy and Commerce who brought this bill to the floor: Congressman Burgess, Congresswoman DeGette, Congressman Carter, Congresswoman Kelly for her years of advocacy, Congresswoman Schrier, and Congresswoman Cammack, as well. I thank them for co-leading this legislation with me. Families are counting on us. Please vote ``yes.''

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