Gottheimer hosts virtual maternal health summit with healthcare providers, federal and state agencies, local advocates

NEW JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer Wednesday hosted a virtual maternal health summit with healthcare providers, federal & state agencies, and local advocates.

They discussed what action can be taken on the federal and state levels to further improve maternal health outcomes in our state and across the nation.

The roundtable was opened with a video from First Lady Tammy Murphy. Before First Lady Tammy Murphy was on the scene, New Jersey’s numbers of maternal health deaths were some of the worst in the country. In early 2019, the state ranked 47th nationwide in pregnancy-related deaths of the mother, with 46.4 per 100,000 live births compared to the national average of 29.6, Gottheimer said.

The state has jumped twenty spots on national rankings, significantly lowered the death rate, and committed millions of dollars to resources for pregnant and new mothers, Gottheimer said.

Maternal Health Disparities

• According to research released by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, between 2018 and 2022, every year, more than 600 women died of pregnancy-related causes.
• In 2022 alone, twenty-two women died for every 100,000 births in the United States. The causes of death range from heart disease to stroke to suicide, often driven by postpartum depression.  Nearly every one of these deaths is tied in some way to maternal health.
• Black mothers are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White mothers.
• In New Jersey, it’s far worse: Black mothers are seven times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than White mothers. Hispanic mothers are three-and-a-half times more likely to die.

Gottheimer’s Efforts to Improve Maternal Health: 

• First, Gottheimer has worked on the Momnibus, a collection of thirteen separate bills that offer a comprehensive solution to our country’s complex maternal health crisis. The package makes critical investments to address factors that determine health — including access to quality employment, nutritious meals, and public safety. The Momnibus also strengthens the support system for mothers — providing funding to hire more maternal health workers and improving access to maternal mental health care. It will also provide critical resources to fully investigate the causes of the maternal health crisis and its potential drivers.
• Second, Gottheimer sent a letter to Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries, urging them to bring the Momnibus up for a vote without delay. 225 Members of Congress – across the House and Senate – have already gotten behind the Momnibus, along with more than 200 of our country’s leading health and community organizations.
• Finally, Gottheimer also called on the United States Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy to produce a follow-up report on the maternal health crisis. This follow-up report will recommit our public officials to action and further bring the maternal health crisis back into national focus where it belongs.

“We cannot stand by as thousands of women pass away from preventable conditions and thousands of babies grow up, robbed of their moms. Today, I was proud to be joined by so many of our incredible healthcare providers, federal & state agencies, and local advocates for a productive conversation about how we can further improve outcomes for moms across our nation. It’s key to the success of our moms, dads, and children,” Gottheimer said. “It’s also why I am so proud to cosponsor the Momnibus, a collection of thirteen separate bills, to breathe new life into the hopes of Jersey families and ensure the stories of young mothers and newborn babies begin in prosperity — rather than tragedy.”

Gottheimer was joined by NJ Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority President & CEO Lisa Asare, Regional Women’s Health Analyst for HHS Office of Assistant Secretary for Health in Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, USVI) Cindy Rosales, Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity at Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey Tara Norman, VP of Programs for the NJ Family Planning League Trashaun Powell, Senior Advisor for Reproductive Health Policy and Advocacy at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Dr. Nisha Verma, Hackensack University Medical Center Senior Vice President and Chief of External Affairs Sarah Lechner, Englewood Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hillary Cohen, Atlantic Health Associate Chief Medical Officer Dr. Judy Washington, Executive Director for Women’s and Children’s Services at Atlantic Health Joanna Wright, Interim System Medical Director for OBGYN and Atlantic Medical Group Ambulatory Medical Director at Atlantic Health Dr. Fatima Naqvi, Manager of Government and Public Affairs at Atlantic Health Matt Marinello, Director of Public Relations at New Bridge Medical Center Tracy Schoenberg, Director of Women’s Services at Valley Health Dr. Tia Welsh, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Fair Lawn Mayor Gail Rottenstrich, Woodcliff Lake Councilwoman Jenn Margolis, New Milford Council President Randi Duffie, New Milford Councilwoman Lisa Sandhusen, Westwood Councilwoman Erin Collins, Assemblywoman (LD-37) Shama Haider, Assemblywoman (LD-38) Lisa Swain.