Washington,D.C. – Today, Councilmember Christina Henderson (At-Large) introduced legislation to increase access to maternal health resources.

“For me, this issue is personal, having experienced first-hand the impact of DC not having a hospital that provides obstetrics care east of North Capitol Street,”said Henderson. “It will be a priority of mine to reduce the maternal mortality rate, provide support for expecting mothers including advocates in the delivery room, and expand our maternal health infrastructure to underserved areas of theDistrict of Columbia.”

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 womenis significantly higher:  71 deaths per100,000 births, compared with 63.8 nationally. This contributes to a massive Black-White life expectancy gap in the city.

Although more than 95% of District residents have health insurance, free preventative healthcare services remain underutilized. Studies indicate that less than half of women on Medicaid are receiving the recommended number of prenatal visits or a postpartum visit within the recommended 21 to 56 days after birth. Further, about half of Black women and more than 1 in 3 Hispanic women in DC do not get prenatal care until their second or third trimester.

TheMaternal Health Resources and Access Act of 2021 builds upon legislation introduced in Council Period 23 in three ways. First, it establishes a pilot program for Medicaid reimbursements of doula services. Second, it requires a feasibility study to establish a birthing center east of the Anacostia River.And third, it provides transportation subsidies for rides to maternal health appointments for services including ridesharing.

TheMaternal Health Resources and Access Act of 2021 was co-introduced by Councilmembers Mary M. Cheh, Brianne K. Nadeau, Janeese Lewis George, ElissaSilverman, Vincent C. Gray, Kenyan R. McDuffie, Charles Allen, and Robert C. White,Jr.

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