As a supporter of Neighborhood Birth Center, midwives, and birth justice, I am deeply concerned about the federal attacks on reproductive health care and Medicaid. I want to see Neighborhood Birth Center and other birth centers and community-based maternal health organizations open and thrive.
Neighborhood Birth Center is working to open Boston’s first freestanding birth center and will be the only BIPOC-led birth center in New England. Despite a recent setback in zoning, they are in deep partnership with the City of Boston, state public health leaders and the community and are confident that Boston WILL have its birth center. And they are also exploring a second site for a birth center in Lynn.
I ask you support Amendment # 535 filed by Senator Joan Lovely to allocate $300,000 to Neighborhood Birth Center to help open birth centers that will serve two diverse communities.
In addition to Amendment #535, I also ask you to support NBC’s other budget priorities so we can offer the highest quality maternity care throughout the state and fully implement the historic Maternal Health Omnibus from last year.
- Amendment #492, filed by Senator Robyn Kennedy would provide $100,000 for Worcester Community Midwifery.
- Amendment #413, filed by Senator Liz Miranda, would provide $350,000 to community-based perinatal mental health programs.
