Urge Key Michigan Senators to Support Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Initiative

By MUUSJN on Wednesday, March 11th, 2020

Click HERE for the Senate Appropriations Committee List

Click HERE to get the name of your Michigan Senator

During Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s January 29th State of the State message she supported several important “Healthy Mom’s, Healthy Babies” initiatives that could increase the survival rates of Michigan women and their babies. Michigan’s death rates of mothers and their infants are unacceptable. The death rates for infants and their mothers is about three times greater for African American and Native Americans. The good news is that Michigan has a plan to reduce these death rates.

The Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition, a group organized by MUUSJN that includes over 16 women’s and LGBTQ organizations, urges the public to call Michigan Senators to support this life saving $37.5 million investment to protect mothers and their children.

MICHIGAN MOM’S and INFANTS ARE AT RISK

  • Michigan ranks 30th in the nation in terms of maternal mortality & 38th in infant mortality;
  • Detroit’s maternal death rate is three times the national average and pregnant African American women are 4.5 times more likely to die than non-Hispanic white women;
  • In 2018, 723 Michigan infants died before reaching their first birthday. That’s a rate of 6.6 deaths per 100,000 live births;
  • African-American mothers experienced a three times higher death rate for their babies compared to white moms; and
  • Native American infants died at a rate of 2.6 times white infants.
  • Infant death rates were highest among women below the age of 20. (Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Vital Records & Health Statistics)

THE GOOD NEWS

Forty-four (44) percent of pregnancy related deaths were preventable, according to the Michigan Maternal Mortality Surveillance Committee. The Governor’s proposal is an important plan for reducing excess deaths of mothers and their children.

THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL

The Governor has proposed a $37.5 million package of investments in her FY 2021 budget for Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies to improve care women need to have a healthy pregnancy. Less than half of these funds come from Michigan’s General Fund. It includes:

  • Expand health care coverage for low income new moms from 60 days to one year;
  • Expand mothers’ access to mental and behavioral health services;
  • Expand evidence based home visits for high risk mothers;
  • Partner with providers and universities to address health disparities; and
  • Let a woman pick birth control works for her.

Click HERE for more details

TAKE ACTION

This proposal is expected to be voted in the Senate Appropriations committee chaired by Senator Jim Stamas. Click HERE for a list of the Appropriations Committee that includes Senators’ Districts, phone numbers and emails. Please contact these three Senators and YOUR Senator, especially if your Senator is on the Appropriations Committee:

Sen. Jim Stamas (Midland), Chair: 1-855-347-8036; SenStamas@senate.michigan.gov

Sen. Jon Bumstead (Newago), V. Chair: 1-855-347-8034; SenJBumstead@senate.michigan.gov

Sen. Curtis Hertel (Lansing), Minority Chair: 1-855-347-8023 or SenCHertel@senate.michigan.gov

Talking Points:

  1. We all win when we can protect the health of women and their babies;
  2. Too many Michigan mom’s and their babies are dying;
  3. 44% of pregnancy related deaths can be prevented;
  4. I urge you to fund the expansion of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program.



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