Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus celebrates one-year anniversary of advocacy, action and impact
Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus October 17, 2024 | 4:45 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – Members of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus today celebrated the one-year anniversary of its formation with a virtual celebration and live broadcast with stakeholders to discuss the impact of the group’s advocacy and action over the past year.
The caucus was formed on Oct. 17, 2023, with state Reps. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, serving as co-chairs.
Building on the momentum of legislative victories and the increasing need for attention to maternal mortality and morbidity issues, particularly affecting Black families, Cephas said the caucus set out to address the disturbing trends of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in Pennsylvania through strategic, intersectional legislation and policy; by creating a collaborative, representative and action-oriented legislative and policy space for Pennsylvania legislators, advocates and stakeholders; and introducing and advancing the PA MOMNIBUS – a legislative package making critical investments and policy changes to improve maternal health outcomes in the state.
“I am so grateful to be part of such a dynamic and transformative group of legislators and advocates working toward the important goal of improving maternal health outcomes for Black mothers and their babies in Pennsylvania,” Cephas said. “In this past year and budget season we’ve been able to secure over $25 million specifically for maternal health initiatives and get state money directly into the hands of organizations doing the important work of providing comprehensive physical and mental health care and support to mothers before, during and after their birthing journeys.”
Curry said the eight-bill PA MOMNIBUS package was introduced to confront the staggering rate of Black maternal deaths and pregnancy-related complications in Pennsylvania. She said the caucus held policy hearings, brunch-and-learn sessions and other events to gather input for the package, which is already producing results.
Yesterday, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law a bill in the package that Curry co-wrote (H.B. 2127) that directs the PA Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign around perinatal and postpartum depression. She said research shows that Black mothers are highly vulnerable to depression and anxiety, due in part to economic disparities and racial bias in the health care system. Combatting this trend means making sure Black parents receive the resources they need when with their doctors and in health care settings.
“This new law is a critical lifeline for countless families, addressing the postpartum challenges of depression, psychosis and other perinatal mental health issues head-on, especially for Black families," Curry said. "It marks a crucial step in providing the education and resources Black mamas need to take care of their health and understand they are not alone in their struggles. I am proud to be part of this caucus and its important mission. We’re one year strong and thrilled with the impact it has had in funding and policy.”
Mayes noted the other bills in the package passed by the House and the caucus’ victories in maternal health care over the past year, including bills that would require Medicaid coverage for doula services (H.B.1608), require insurance coverage for blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum enrollees (H.B.s 2097 and 2138) and establish the Maternal and Newborn Supply Kit Program (H.B. 2137).
“One year ago, today we formed this caucus with a vision and mission to boldly address the disturbing trends of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in Pennsylvania, and I am so proud of all we’ve accomplished in this one year,” Mayes said. “The year milestone is also symbolic because of the one-year postpartum period recognized as a critical time for new parents and their babies and which our MOMNIBUS legislation and public policy strives to cover but is currently lacking in the state. We have charted a new course for Black maternal health in our commonwealth with this caucus, and we’re just getting started.”
Today’s one-year anniversary virtual discussion featured guest speakers and special guests:
Tatyana Ali, actor, activist and entrepreneur.
House Speaker Joanna McClinton.
PA Second Lady Blair Holmes Davis.
Ohio state Rep. Juanita Brent.
Minnesota state Sen. Erin Maye Quade.
Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Kathy Gilmor Richardson.
A recording of the event can be found here: http://repzabel.com/BMH/BirthToPower. In addition, the caucus will host a Doula Roundtable in the state Capitol on Tuesday, Oct. 22 to conclude its week-long celebration of the one-year anniversary and provide an update on the advancement of H.B.1608, which is a few steps away from heading to Shapiro’s desk to be signed into law.
More information about the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus and the PA MOMNIBUS legislation can be found at pahouse.com/BMH.