Washington D.C. – In a bipartisan effort to address the pressing issue of maternal mortality in the United States, Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) have introduced the NIH IMPROVE Act. This legislation serves as the Senate Companion to Representative Lauren Underwood’s (D-IL-14) and Brian Fitzpatrick’s (R-PA-01) House bill and aims to ensure consistent funding for research on maternal care and mortality.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Implementing a Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative in 2019. This initiative supports research endeavors aimed at reducing preventable causes of maternal deaths and improving healthcare for women before, during, and after pregnancy. However, the lack of sustained funding threatens the effectiveness of this critical research program and compromises its potential impact on addressing America’s maternal mortality crisis.
The NIH IMPROVE Act seeks to address this funding gap by authorizing consistent funding for the IMPROVE Initiative over the next seven years. This funding, amounting to $53.4 million annually, will enable the NIH to pursue research into the root causes of maternal mortality and severe morbidity, thus enhancing the nation’s understanding of and response to this pressing issue.
Both Senator Britt and Senator Butler have underscored the significance of this bipartisan legislation in improving health outcomes for women throughout their pregnancy journey. Senator Britt emphasized her commitment to advocating for maternal care, citing the alarming maternal mortality rate in Alabama, which currently stands as the highest in the nation.
The legislation also aims to address disparities in maternal care, particularly across racial and socioeconomic lines, by approving research targeted at reducing preventable causes of maternal deaths and severe morbidity. Additionally, it seeks to build an evidence base for improved care and outcomes in underserved maternal care deserts, such as those found in Alabama, where a significant portion of counties lack access to birthing facilities or maternity care providers.
Senator Britt’s legislative efforts in the realm of healthcare, particularly maternal care, have been extensive. She has consistently prioritized initiatives aimed at expanding access to healthcare services, improving health outcomes, and addressing the needs of underserved communities. Her recent questioning of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra regarding the proposed FY25 budget for HHS reflects her ongoing commitment to advocating for maternal health at the federal level.
Furthermore, Senator Britt’s sponsorship of legislation such as the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act, and her support for initiatives to improve access to insulin and enhance mental health research highlight her multifaceted approach to addressing healthcare challenges comprehensively.
In conclusion, the introduction of the NIH IMPROVE Act by Senators Katie Britt and Laphonza Butler represents a significant step towards addressing the maternal mortality crisis in the United States. Through sustained funding and targeted research efforts, this bipartisan legislation aims to improve maternal care outcomes and reduce disparities in healthcare access, ultimately safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers across the nation.
