Landmark Black Maternal Health “Momnibus” Act to Save Moms’ Lives and Protect Moms and Babies Against Climate Change

Contact: Sasha Tenenbaum, stenenbaum@momscleanairforce.org, 917-887-0146

Washington, DC – On Monday, February 8, and during Black History Month, Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Alma Adams (NC-12), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus unveiled the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, historic legislation that includes a series of 12 bills to save moms’ lives and end racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health.

Moms Clean Air Force was an early and supportive partner behind this effort, alongside many other organizations. We are especially proud that our partnership helped to add an important climate provision, the Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act, sponsored by Representative Underwood and Senator Markey (D-MA). This stand-alone bill focuses on alleviating the impacts of climate change on moms and babies.

In response to the introduction of the Momnibus, Trisha Dello Iacono, National Field Manager at Moms Clean Air Force, issued the following statement:

“With the introduction of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, Congress has taken a major step forward in addressing the enormous and unjust health disparities faced by Black women before, during and after pregnancy.

“This Act, if signed into law, will transform the lives of Black mothers and babies for the better. That alone would make this a landmark moment, but this Act also acknowledges and seeks to rectify the harm caused by climate change to Black mothers. Heat waves and extreme weather events are just two examples of how climate change can harm pregnant moms and their babies, and this bill will direct funding to Black communities to explicitly address these challenges.

“Moms Clean Air Force applauds Representative Underwood and Senator Markey for prioritizing the health of Black mothers and for recognizing climate change as the serious health threat that it is. We now urge members of Congress to join in this effort to make racial inequities in pregnancy and childbirth a thing of the past.”

RESOURCES:

• Moms Clean Air Force has posted an online resource about the Momnibus, which aims to improve the health of Black mothers and their babies.
• Moms Clean Air Force is asking its members to tell Congress to support this historic bill that protects moms and babies against climate change. See our petition here.