Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) is leading the fight for maternal health, working to address the alarming maternal mortality rate in the United States. She emphasizes the urgency of the issue, highlighting that preventable complications and inadequate care put mothers at unnecessary risk. Underwood's commitment stems from personal experiences and a belief in bipartisan solutions. She co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus, which has achieved landmark legislation and secured significant funding for maternal health initiatives.
Rep. Lauren Underwood is leading the fight for maternal health , proving that bipartisan progress is possible—and that no mother should fear for her life while giving birth.
Pregnancy should be a time of anticipation and joy, but for too many American women, it is overshadowed by fear—not the natural anxieties of impending parenthood, but the terrifying reality of whether they will survive childbirth. The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations,that should alarm every American. While our healthcare system is advanced in many ways, maternal care continues to fall behind.
“I got mad and decided to run,” said Underwood. Against the odds, she flipped a historically Republican district in 2018, making history as the youngest Black woman ever elected to Congress. Since its founding, the Black Maternal Health Caucus has driven landmark legislation, proving that maternal health can—and should—remain a bipartisan issue. Theis a sweeping legislative package of 13 bills designed to tackle maternal mortality and improve maternal health outcomes nationwide. While the full package has, its individual provisions continue to gain traction. Underwood helped secure over $200 million in federal funding for maternal health initiatives as of 2024.
Another critical area of success lies in research into maternal mortality causes and enhancing data collection. These efforts are essential to understanding and addressing the underlying causes of maternal deaths, ensuring that policy solutions are rooted in evidence and capable of driving lasting change. The bipartisan backing of these initiatives underscores that maternal health transcends party lines—when policymakers prioritize the lives of mothers, progress is possible.
“The dollars are going into a lot of Republican states and districts,” said Underwood. “A lot of those members are really just getting introduced to the good work happening in their communities. That’s how we build momentum.”If the past five years have proven anything, it’s that progress is often nonlinear, but possible—and staying focused on the work is more important than ever, especially under difficult political conditions.
Healthcare Maternal Health Bipartisan Progress Black Maternal Health Caucus Legislation Healthcare Access
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