Gov. Phil Murphy's spending plan includes a large infusion of funding to improve maternal and infant health.
A mother holds her newborn son in the maternity ward of Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.Gov. Phil Murphy’s state budget plan, to be unveiled Tuesday afternoon, includes $17 million in state and federal funds for a program providing New Jersey parents with free home visits by a nurse shortly after a child’s birth, according to an advance copy of the proposed budget obtained by NJ Advance Media.
The situation is most dire for Black women, who are seven times more likely than white women to die from complications from pregnancy and childbirth. Black babies in New Jersey are three times more likely to die before their first birthdays than white babies. “We are pleased to see the continued investment and commitment to improving Maternal Child Health in New Jersey,” said Linda Schwimmer, the president and CEO of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, in a statement. “Every investment helps — especially educational programs to increase the number of licensed midwives in New Jersey and increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for obstetrics and midwifery practices.
“Funding designated solely for accredited midwifery education programs is integral to making midwifery education a viable option for more Black and brown students.” New Jersey became the second state, after Oregon, to offer the universal visitation program. The state Department of Children and Families implemented the Universal Home Visiting law with a $2.75 million appropriation. The home visiting program is offered in cases of stillborn babies as well as to parents who adopt a child.