U.S. House Passes Sen. Ossoff-Backed Provision to Improve Maternal Health

Statement

The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed a provision backed by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff to improve maternal health and curb maternal mortality rates in Georgia and nationwide ---- a crisis that disproportionately impacts Black women.

Georgia's maternal mortality rate ranks among the worst in the nation.

According to Georgia Public Broadcasting, Black women are nearly three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women.

"The shockingly high maternal mortality rate for Black women in Georgia is a travesty. It is unacceptable for any mother to suffer or die because she lacks proper care, and that's why I'm urging my colleagues to address maternal mortality for Black women in Georgia," Sen. Ossoff said.

According to the CDC, nearly two-thirds of maternal deaths occur during or after pregnancy, increasing the need for stronger preventative and postpartum care.

Source