On Thursday, U.S. representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., and Lucille Royball-Allard, D-Calif., announced the formation of a new, bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Maternity Care in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The goal of the Congressional Caucus on Maternity Care is to raise awareness about timely and important maternity care-related issues, and highlight the challenges facing America’s maternity care system, according to a press release.
Caucus members will promote cost-effective and optimal outcomes for both high and low-risk pregnancies by highlighting bipartisan policy solutions based on the best available evidence, stated the press release.
Approximately 4 million women give birth in America each year, and the U.S. spends significantly more per capita on childbirth than any other industrialized nation, stated the release.
Despite the investment, America continually ranks far behind almost all other developed countries in birth outcomes for both mothers and babies.
“Working to improve health outcomes and research for moms and babies is just one important way we can help support the millions of women who do so much to support all the people in their lives,” Herrera Beutler said in the release. “It’s unacceptable that the United States is lagging behind other countries in maternal health care. I look forward to using this new platform with Congresswoman Royball-Allard and our colleagues from both parties to advance awareness, education and solutions to improve life for mothers and their children.”
