Eight Democratic members of Illinois’ congressional delegation joined 76 other colleagues last week to urge leadership to prioritize maternal health in a future spending bill. [Health News Illinois 4.25.2022]

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the House members said investments are needed to address the nation's maternal health crisis.

Requested provisions include permanent yearlong Medicaid coverage of postpartum services in every state with full state plan benefits and investing hundreds of millions of dollars in programs that allow states to provide coordinated maternity care services, address social determinants of maternal health and grow and diversify the perinatal health workforce.

“These evidence-based investments center (on) the families most severely impacted by our nation’s maternal health crisis, and the provisions were shaped by women of color and local organizations that are on the ground in communities across the country, doing urgently important work to support pregnant people and new parents,” the letter said.

Signees included U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson; Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville; Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg; Danny Davis, D-Chicago; Mike Quigley, D-Chicago; Bobby Rush, D-Chicago; Marie Newman, D-La Grange; and Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston.

Budget reconciliation allows Congress to make changes to spending and revenue with a majority vote, bypassing the 60-vote threshold needed to override a filibuster in the Senate.

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