Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced a bipartisan resolution today to officially designate January 23 as Maternal Health Awareness Day. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about maternal health outcomes and encourage initiatives to address disparities and improve care nationwide.
Highlighting the importance of bipartisan cooperation, Senator Britt emphasized the need for collective action. “Improving maternal care is not a red or blue issue. It’s an American issue,” Britt stated. “We have more work to do to reduce maternal mortality, and I will continue to work across the aisle with my colleagues to improve health outcomes for women throughout their pregnancy journeys and support moms across our nation.”
Senator Booker underscored the United States’ maternal health challenges, noting, “The United States spends more on health care than any other country, but we still have the highest rate of maternal mortality among our peer countries. It’s disheartening that Congress has failed to pass comprehensive federal legislation to protect mothers and their babies. I remain committed to working across the aisle to create and implement effective policies that address the maternal mortality crisis and promote equitable maternal health care.”
Senator Kim highlighted the personal impact of the maternal health crisis, particularly in New Jersey, stating, “It is heartbreaking that we continue to let down expecting mothers who deserve to feel safe and supported. The pain of our country’s maternal mortality crisis is felt harshly in New Jersey, disproportionately hurting Black women and devastating too many families. With this resolution, I call on my colleagues in Congress to see this urgency and push forward on tangible action to protect lives and be there for growing families.”
The resolution notes that approximately 60,000 women in the U.S. experience severe maternal morbidity annually, with one-third of maternal mortality cases occurring between one week and one year postpartum. Expanding access to health care before and after birth is a critical component of addressing this issue, according to the Senators.
Dr. Stella Dantas, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), praised the resolution. “As the maternal health crisis in the U.S. continues, it’s critical to shine a spotlight and bring national attention to the importance of prioritizing maternal health. ACOG is grateful to Senator Booker and Senator Britt for their support in making sure that across the country, people learn about Maternal Health Awareness Day and understand the need for policies that will empower us to make a meaningful difference to improve maternal health outcomes.”
Senator Britt has prioritized maternal health as part of her legislative agenda. Last year, she co-introduced the NIH IMPROVE Act to provide consistent support for the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Implementing a Maternal Health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative, which focuses on research and evidence-based solutions to reduce maternal mortality.
Additionally, Britt played a key role in securing a $20 million increase in funding for the NIH IMPROVE Initiative in the FY25 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, bringing total appropriations for the initiative to $73.4 million.
This bipartisan effort reflects growing recognition of the urgent need to address maternal health disparities and improve outcomes for mothers across the nation.