OBGYN and U.S. Rep Kelly Morrison Introduces BABIES Act

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) introduced the bipartisan Better Availability of Birth Centers Improves Outcomes and Expands Savings (BABIES) Act, which will improve access to birth centers and expand birth and maternity care through Medicaid, ensuring mothers and babies can get affordable, quality health care. This bipartisan bill is co-led by Representative Ashley Hinson (IA-02) and is endorsed by the American Association of Birth Centers.

As the first and only pro-choice OBGYN in Congress, Rep. Morrison is deeply committed to ensuring mothers and new babies are able to access the high-quality, affordable health care they need to be healthy and thrive. Previously during her time in the Minnesota state legislature, Rep. Morrison led the bipartisan effort to successfully extend health insurance for new moms on Medicaid from just 60 days to 12 months,a critical period of time to ensure that new moms and babies can thrive and stay healthy.

One in 12 women in the U.S. live in a maternity care desert, an area with limited or no access to maternal care. The BABIES act aims to address this health crisis and expand access to maternity care all across the country.

"As an OB-GYN, I am passionate about addressing our nation's maternal health care crisis and making sure that every woman can get the pre- and post-natal care she and her baby need and deserve," said Congresswoman Morrison. "The health of our mothers and babies should never be a partisan issue - and I'm proud to work across the aisle once again to make sure everyone has access to maternity care."

Watch a video of Rep. Morrison's bill introduction HERE:

"It's unacceptable that many expecting moms-especially in rural Iowa-lack access to adequate maternal health care because they live in maternity care deserts. Every mother deserves quality care before, during, and after pregnancy, no matter her zip code," said Congresswoman Hinson. "I applaud Iowa's Governor Reynolds for supporting the expansion of birthing centers in Iowa, and I'm thrilled to help reintroduce the BABIES Act to expand access to quality maternal health care nationwide. I will continue leading in this fight for as long as it takes to guarantee moms everywhere have the support they deserve through pregnancy and beyond."

"We commend Rep. Kelly Morrison and Rep. Ashley Hinson for taking action to expand access to midwifery-led birth center care," said Trinisha Williams, MPH, CM, LCCE, CLC, President, American Association of Birth Centers. "Midwives and birth centers offer a proven, high-value model for maternity care and are essential in addressing maternity care shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities."

The BABIES Actseeks to increase access to quality, affordable maternity care through the creation of a federally funded Birth and Women's Health Center demonstration program. The BABIES Actwould require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a Medicaid demonstration program to improve freestanding birth center services for women with low-risk pregnancies. The bill would require CMS to:

• Publish criteria for freestanding birth centers to participate in the program, including specified accreditation, licensure, and service requirements;
• Publish guidance for states to establish prospective payment systems under Medicaid for program participants;
• Award planning grants for states to develop program proposals; and
• Award grants for birthing centers to build new or expand existing birthing centers to expand capacity.

Read the full text of the bill HERE.

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