2022 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
We are focused on addressing Black maternal healthcare in the state of Delaware. We are one of the few organizations led by Black women, focusing on Black mothers and children. In Delaware, Black babies are 2-3 time more likely to die than white babies. This is a public health crisis that needs to be addressed now!
Several maternal healthcare related bills have been introduced that align with Black Mothers in Power main legislative focuses:
1. Making sure Doula services are reimbursable by Medicaid and private insurances
2. Mandating Racism and Implicit Bias Training for all healthcare providers and staff
3. Allowing Doulas to provide services to pregnant people incarcerated
The following policies could improve health outcomes for Black mothers and babies in Delaware:
HB340
This bill makes substantive updates to the Child Death Review Commission by changing the name to Child and Maternal Death Review Commission and updating membership of the commission to include midwife, doula, and a member of a community group focused on women’s health, teen pregnancy, or public health.
The bills also requires at least one annual meeting with the Delaware Perinatal Quality Collaborative to discuss findings, recommendations, and initiatives of that body. Further, it requires the commission to post and accept public comment its draft report as well as hold public meetings in each county on its draft report.
HB341
This bill requires that the state exempt pregnant persons and the parent or other relative primary caregiver of a child six months of age or younger from TANF work requirements.
HB343
This bill requires that the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance to present a plan for coverage of doula services by Medicaid providers.
HB344
This bill requires that licensed health care professionals and other health care staff of hospitals and freestanding birthing centers are trained in explicit and implicit bias training.
HB345
This bill ensures incarcerated pregnant women and women who have given birth within the past six weeks have access to a midwife or doula.
HB346
This bill removes the requirement that a pregnant patient with Medicaid receive prior authorization for an automated take home blood pressure cuff when it is recommended by their doctor.
We are focused on addressing Black maternal healthcare in the state of Delaware. We are one of the few organizations led by Black women, focusing on Black mothers and children. In Delaware, Black babies are 2-3 time more likely to die than white babies. This is a public health crisis that needs to be addressed now!
Click the links below to read more: