Families in our state still need high quality maternal health care, including midwives, birth centers, and postpartum support. I am proud to live in a state that has made significant progress in improving maternal and reproductive health care through legislation and investment. However, we still have a lot of work to do to reverse our ongoing maternal health crisis, and maintain access to health care in the face of so many maternity care closures.
Please retain these essential maternal health investments and language in the final FY27 budget:
- Midwives reimbursement correction language, no cost -- ensuring the 2024 Maternal Health Law applies to all MassHealth plans as intended; no cost
- Funding for freestanding birth centers -- $1M for the birth center grants program, $100K for Neighborhood Birth Center, $75K for Seven Sisters Midwifery, and $25K for Worcester Community Midwifery
- Moms Matter Act grants, $220K -- culturally-concordant, community-based support for new parents
- Implementation of the 2024 Maternal Health Law, $4.3M -- universal postpartum home visiting, midwife integration, fetal and infant mortality review, pregnancy loss awareness, and perinatal mental health awareness
Supporting implementation of the 2024 Midwifery and Maternal Health Law, and the opportunities it created, will ensure that the benefits reach families across Massachusetts!
