The Bipartisan Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act Passed the U.S. Senate Earlier This Month
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP), penned an op-ed in the Washington Times to discuss the maternal health crisis in the United States and how her bipartisan Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act would help to address it. The legislation passed the Senate earlier this month and would require the Federal Communications Commission to identify areas where high rates of poor maternal health outcomes overlap with lack of access to broadband services to pinpoint where telehealth services can be most effective.
The Washington Times: American moms are at risk and we need to act
By Senator Jacky Rosen
Key Points:
- There is a maternal health crisis facing our country. Data shows that expectant moms in the U.S. face severe health problems, which have been worsening for years.
- The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is by far the highest of any developed country, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation.
- My state of Nevada has a maternal mortality rate higher than the national average, partly because of the lack of medical resources in rural communities and the medical provider shortage our state faces.
- But Nevada is not alone. In fact, over 7 million women across our country live in areas that don’t have any maternity care.
- Last year, I introduced the Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act with Republican Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska. We partnered together to address this urgent problem in a unique, forward-thinking way.
- Our bipartisan plan would map out these areas that need increased maternal care and better access to reliable high-speed internet, allowing us to target where investments in broadband and telemedicine can be most effective in improving maternal health outcomes.
- This legislation unanimously passed the U.S. Senate on March 2, and we are working to make sure it passes the House of Representatives and gets signed into law.
- By championing policies like this, we can combat the maternal health crisis and improve access to care for so many families. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Now is the time to act.
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