Washington, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Robin Kelly (IL-02), who serve as co-chairs of the Maternity Care Caucus, introduced a bipartisan resolution (H.Res 1444) to recognize September 14 to 20, 2024 as National Birth Center Week to raise awareness about birth centers and their importance for maternal health care.
Birth centers provide patient- and family-centered services that support healthy perinatal outcomes for moms and their babies and can reduce barriers to care for underserved communities.
“Birth centers are based on the midwifery model of care and provide quality, affordable maternity care for women and families, no matter their zip code. 60 percent of mothers meet risk criteria for birth center care in the United States. That is why supporting our midwifery-care workforce is so important,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution to recognize National Birth Center Week and highlight birth centers’ contributions to healthier maternal and infant care and outcomes. As co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus, I will keep working to deliver results and support women, babies, and families.”
“Far too often, mothers don’t receive the care they need and deserve due to racial disparities in our healthcare system or due to healthcare deserts. More than 2.3 million reproductive-aged women live in maternity care deserts,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “As a mom and grandmother, it’s unacceptable that younger generations of Black women face a higher chance of dying during birth. Birth centers help close equity gaps by providing high-quality care during birth and postpartum, guided by principles of safety, shared decision-making, and appropriate medical intervention. Together with my co-chair Rep. Kim, we support and celebrate the essential role that birth centers play in our communities.”
“The evidence shows that midwifery-led birth centers are a high value solution for providing culturally centered care to advance maternal health outcomes. We are thankful to Rep. Young Kim and Rep. Robin Kelly for bringing Congressional recognition to this important health care model,” said Kate Bauer, executive director, American Association of Birth Centers.
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Birth Center Week, including:
- Celebrating birth centers for providing safe patient and family-centered care for underserved communities in support of birth, newborn, and parent transition, leading to reduced preterm births and cesarean section rates and increase breastfeeding rates;
- Recognizing National Birth Center Week and encouraging families, communities, health institutions, and policymakers and regulatory agencies at all levels of government to learn more about birth centers’ midwifery model of care and effectiveness; and,
- Supporting increased use of the birth center model to expand access to high-quality, affordable care and improve perinatal outcomes for families.
Rep. Kim has been fighting for maternal health priorities as co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus such as:
- Addressing nurse workforce shortages by introducing the bipartisan, bicameral National Nursing Workforce Center Act (H.R. 2411);
- Improving stillbirth research and awareness by leading the bipartisan, bicameral Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act (H.R. 5012);
- Supporting resources for domestic violence victims by introducing the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 2604), which she also supported in the 117th Congress along with the Violence Against Women Act (H.R. 1620);
- Leading a letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration urging for updates on the effectiveness of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline;
- Boosting outcomes for screening and treatment of maternal mental health and substance use disorders;
- Securing key maternity care priorities in the FY24 appropriations bill; and,
- Sounding the alarm on the maternity mortality crisis in the United States.
Read the full resolution HERE.
