Happy Mother's Day! As your constituent, I want to share my strong support for maternal health and birth center funding in the Senate budget, specifically amendments 535, 492, and 413. I hope to see all of these budget proposals adopted to ensure that the opportunities created by the 2024 Midwifery and Maternal Health Law reach every community.
I am grateful for the progress being made to improve access to midwives, birth centers, and mental health support in Massachusetts. Please make sure these programs and opportunities are funded so that families in our community and across the Commonwealth receive the benefits!
- Amendment #535, Neighborhood Birth Center, filed by Sen. Joan Lovely, provides funding to support birth centers in Eastern Massachusetts.
- Amendment #492, Worcester Community Midwifery, filed by Sen. Robyn Kennedy, provides funding to build a birth center in Central Massachusetts.
- Amendment #413, Community-Based Perinatal Support Program Grants, filed by Sen. Liz Miranda, funds the Moms Matter Act programs for maternal mental health support.
Since 2010, our state has experienced a doubling of the rate of life-threatening pregnancy complications, growing racial inequities, and 11 maternity center closures. These budget proposals will improve maternal and reproductive health care and access at every level to reverse these trends.
Birth center midwifery care has markedly better outcomes, better experiences for families, and saves the health system millions of dollars. Last year’s maternal health law updated state regulations and midwife licensing to make it easier to open and staff birth centers. Worcester Community Midwifery and Neighborhood Birth Center will bring new options for pregnancy and birth care that will serve Central and Eastern Massachusetts. Every community needs birth centers!
Please cosponsor amendments 535, 492, and 413 and share your support personally with Chair Rodrigues and President Spilka.
Thank you for prioritizing maternal and reproductive health!
