NEW YORK (WBNG) — Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), introduced the bipartisan “Moms Matter Act” to increase investments in maternal mental health programs.
The Moms Matter Act would establish grant programs to support moms with maternal mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders by investing in community-based programs.
“More women in the United States die from pregnancy-related complications than in any of our peer countries. That is downright shameful,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We must do more to support women at every step of their maternal health journey. This legislation would expand access to high-quality maternal mental healthcare and substance use disorder services to support moms and pregnant women — no matter their race, socioeconomic status, or zip code. It’s a commonsense bill, and I’m determined to get it passed.”
Mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, are the leading cause of preventable maternal death during pregnancy or the first year postpartum.
The legislation is endorsed by over 200 maternal health organizations, including Moms Rising, March of Dimes, Reproductive Freedom for All, and the National Partnership for Women and Families.
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