Two Wisconsin legislators in Washington have introduced a new bill aimed at addressing the maternal health crisis.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin and 4th District Congresswoman Gwen Moore were joined by fellow Democrat Jeff Merkley of Oregon in the presentation of the Perinatal Workforce Act.
This measure aims to help grow the perinatal workforce by creating grant programs to increase the number of maternity care providers and workers who provide care during and after pregnancy.
Sen. Baldwin said of the measure, “No mother should have to worry about whether she can find quality care during one of the most important moments of her life. Sadly, the reality is that too many women — especially women of color — face dangerous gaps in maternity care that put their and their babies’ lives at risk.”
The Perinatal Workforce Act is supported by a number of Wisconsin organizations, including Planned Parenthood Wisconsin, Wisconsin Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, and Wisconsin DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson, to name a few.
