MATERNAL MORTALITY: Senator Murray Applauds Progress as Investments to Protect Mothers Move Toward Passage, Commits to Continue Work

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray fought for new funds to support state efforts on maternal health, and expand evidence-based programs to prevent maternal death and improve care across clinical and public health systems 

Maternal mortality rates in U.S. are among the highest in the developed world, and women of color are disproportionately at risk 

Senator Murray: “These bipartisan investments are much-needed and long overdue to address the heartbreaking reality that mothers in our country are dying at rates far above any other developed country in the world.” 

(Washington, D.C.) – Senator Murray, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS), released the following statement on the maternal mortality investments in the LHHS appropriations bill which cleared the House-Senate conference committee yesterday and is now headed to final passage and is expected to be signed into law:

“These bipartisan investments are much-needed and long overdue to address the heartbreaking reality that mothers in our country are dying at rates far above any other developed country in the world. I’m glad Congress is starting to treat this as the urgent problem it is, but this is just a first step, and I’m going to continue to fight for additional steps to increase our understanding of this crisis, respond to it, and help all women in our country have a healthy pregnancy.”

The conference agreement provides $50 million to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a new initiative aimed at reducing maternal mortality. The new funding will help expand data collection by supporting state efforts to establish and strengthen maternal mortality review committees that investigate deaths associated with pregnancy and it will expand evidence-based programs at HRSA to prevent maternal mortality and advance maternal health equity—such as the Alliance for Innovation in Maternal Health and Healthy Start.