The U.S. House of Representatives today took a major step forward in prioritizing maternal and infant health by passing the Build Back Better Act, which includes a historic investment of nearly $1 billion in the efforts to save moms’ lives, end racial and ethnic maternal health disparities, and advance birth equity.
In response, March of Dimes President and CEO Stacey D. Stewart issued the following:
“We thank President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Leader Chuck Schumer, for their dedication and leadership on behalf of mothers and infants. We applaud the bill’s inclusion of the permanent and mandatory extensions of full Medicaid and CHIP benefits for eligible pregnant and postpartum women for up to one year -- ensuring new mothers do not lose coverage during the year following childbirth.
This bill is will go a long way in advancing key policies from the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 (H.R. 959/S. 346) to address maternal health equity and disparities in maternal health outcomes. We are also pleased to see that a national paid family and medical leave program was included. We are hopeful that it remains in the final legislation when it is considered by the Senate and look forward to the swift enactment of the Build Back Better Act.”
The Build Back Better Act also closes the Medicaid coverage gap, extends enhanced health insurance tax credits for ACA coverage and makes CHIP permanent among other things. The bill now goes to the U.S Senate for consideration.
