Heitkamp Addresses Maternal Health Issues with Health Care Providers & New Mothers in Grand Forks

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today convened health care providers, families, and maternal health advocates in Grand Forks to examine the causes of rising nationwide maternal mortality rates and to discuss ideas, like a bill she introduced, to better support the health and well-being of mothers and newborn children across North Dakota.

Earlier this week, Heitkamp helped pass a bipartisan funding bill that includes $50 million in funding to be used for a new initiative aimed at reducing maternal mortality—which Heitkamp successfully pushed for. The bill also includes $12 million for expanded data collection at State Maternal Mortality review boards and $38 million to expand evidence-based programs to advance maternal health equity in rural, tribal, and historically underserved areas.

“No mother in the United States should have to worry about dying due to pregnancy complications, and it’s absolutely shameful that we’re seeing a growing number of maternal deaths in this country,” said Heitkamp. “We need to figure out what’s going on— and that requires collecting data to identify the factors that are causing young mothers to experience life-threatening health issues. Congress has delayed action on this life-and-death issue for far too long, and my bipartisan bill would help facilitate stronger, safer, and healthier pregnancies by investing in cutting-edge research, beefing up information sharing, and giving physicians and providers the tools they need to improve the patient experience. The funds I secured earlier this week were a needed and important step, and I’ll keep working to get our bill across the finish line, so we can prevent these heartbreaking tragedies and protect the next generation of mothers and infants.”