For Immediate Release

June 30, 2021

Contact: Amanda Farnan, afarnan@dccouncil.us or (202) 355-8431

Councilmember Christina Henderson Releases Statement on Championing Maternal Health Funding in FY22 Budget

Washington, DC – Today, the Committee on Health held its mark-up for the proposed fiscal year 2022 budget for the District of Columbia’s public health agencies. Councilmember Christina Henderson continues to champion additional investments in maternal health and worked with the Committee on Health Chair Vincent C. Gray and Chairman Phil Mendelson to incorporate, and fund, several elements of the Maternal Health Resources and Access Act of 2021 (B24-26), which she introduced in January.

“An equitable recovery for all District residents will require intentional investments in our most vulnerable communities. When I introduced the Maternal Health Resources and Access Act, I knew it was the first step in a necessary expansion of insurance benefits and supports for expecting mothers enrolled in the District’s Medicaid and Alliance health plans,” said Councilmember Christina Henderson. “These investments include increased access to doula services and subsidized transportation to prenatal and postpartum appointments. When you combine these changes with other important measures the Committee funded today, like the Postpartum Coverage Act of 2019 and the Certified Midwife Credential Amendment Act of 2020, we begin to make real movement toward reducing the disparate maternal health outcomes across the District. I would like to thank Chairman Gray and my colleagues on the Committee for their support on this important measure.”

The District struggles with some of the worst maternal health outcomes in the United States, including an alarmingly high maternal mortality rate – particularly for Black women. According to data from the United Health Foundation, as of 2019 the maternal mortality rate in the District was 35.6 per 100,000 live births, compared with a national rate of 29.6. The rate for Black women is significantly higher: 71 deaths per 100,000 births, compared with 63.8 nationally.

The Committee on Health has proposed including the Maternal Health Resources and Access Act as a subtitle in the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Support Act.  In fiscal year 2022, funding is directed to the Department of Health Care Finance to support filing a Medicaid state plan amendment authorizing reimbursement of doula services, with implementation set to begin in October 2022. The Committee also provided $480,000 to fund D.C. Healthcare Alliance coverage of transportation options like rideshare or public transit for women traveling to medical appointments beginning in October 2021. From fiscal year 2022 to 2025, a total investment of $4.14 million will be included in the budget and financial plan to ensure a competitive rate reimbursement for doulas.

Councilmember Christina Henderson states, “This investment in maternal health, infants, and families cannot wait. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure its passage in our final budget.”

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