This month, we saw Congress take an important step in protecting the health of America’s mothers through the overwhelmingly bipartisan passage of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act. For the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), and all those committed to the well-being of mothers, this legislation is essential to providing states with the resources they need to protect and care for women throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
The passage of this critical solution, with such strong support regardless of political party, should add momentum to the pursuit of a more comprehensive approach to better care for women and children – one that proactively addresses the health disparities and challenges our nation faces.
Catholic hospitals – which collectively deliver about half a million babies each year – are working to eliminate disparities in maternal outcomes, particularly through investment in innovative programs, community impact initiatives, and charitable care for the vulnerable communities we serve.
Unfortunately, many mothers in America today face a stark reality: the United States is grappling with an alarmingly high rate of maternal deaths. Recent data underscores the urgency of our mission, with maternal mortality rates in America far exceeding those of other high-income countries, such as Australia and Japan. Furthermore, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the maternal death rate in the United States increased by an alarming 89 percent from 2018 to 2021, which is unacceptable in the age of modern medicine. These distressing trends demand immediate action from Congress to ensure the safety and well-being of all mothers and babies.
That’s why, during March, CHA is proud to stand with March of Dimes, a national advocacy group devoted to ending preventable maternal health risks and death, to advocate for legislation in Washington and in a dozen states that champions reforms to promote health equity and safeguards to protect the well-being of mothers and babies across America. As a partner in the "March for Change" campaign, and accompanying federal and state days of action this month, CHA is working with March of Dimes to highlight the current health challenges facing mothers in our country, and the reforms we need at both levels of government to save more lives. This collaboration is a crucial component of our mission to improve maternal health and address pressing issues threatening the sanctity of life and families' health.
Although Catholic health care has made significant strides in prioritizing and refining both maternal and pediatric care, much more work needs to be done – particularly to address the alarming racial disparities in maternal deaths, with Black mothers facing maternal mortality rates much higher than those among other racial groups. Our work throughout the month will not only help raise awareness of such disparities, but also help advance proposals that will reduce maternal deaths, further enhance pediatric care, and ensure sustained and equitable funding to protect the health of mothers and their babies.
Fortunately, there is legislation on Congress’ docket that will help us – as health care providers – make significant strides in addressing the ongoing maternal mortality crisis and fulfill our central mission of improving health outcomes among vulnerable populations in the hundreds of communities we serve.
This includes: the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act (S. 2415/H.R. 3838), which strengthens federal support for Maternal Mortality Review Committees; the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act (S. 1573/H.R. 3226), which extends critical federal efforts to reduce preterm births and infant mortality; and increased funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), ensuring essential nutrition and support services for pregnant women and new mothers, promoting healthier pregnancies and births nationwide.
The strong bipartisan support for the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act should invigorate Congress, particularly the Senate, to prioritize and pass these and other proposals to help stem the crisis of maternal mortality and create a more durable health care infrastructure that places life and the health of mothers at its center. We also hope that legislators support the Black Maternal Health Momnibus and the Care for MOMS Act, to truly address the evident gaps and inequities present in health care quality for mothers nationwide, especially for mothers of color and those in rural areas.
As stewards of compassion and advocates for the vulnerable, Catholic Health institutions remain steadfast in our commitment to championing maternal health. Our partnership with March of Dimes this month is part of our year-round efforts to advocate for the lives and well-being of mothers and babies in vulnerable communities throughout our country who have been overlooked and unnoticed for far too long. Together, we urge Congress to seize this moment, heed our call to action, and enact legislation that will build a society that values and protects the lives of our future generations and those who grant them the gift of life.
Sister Mary Haddad, RSM, is the President & CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States.
