Black Maternal Health Caucus marks ‘Momnibus’ day with approval of new bills

Two new bills in the “Momnibus” package of legislation to improve pregnancy outcomes for those most at risk in Pennsylvania passed in the state House Health Committee on Monday.

The legislation would expand Medicaid coverage for blood pressure monitoring cuffs for expectant mothers and direct the state Department of Health to conduct an awareness campaign to encourage fathers and partners to be involved in prenatal and postpartum care.

Members of the House Black Maternal Health Caucus celebrated advancing the legislation, which will now be considered by the full House, as part of a reboot of the “Momnibus” package to improve pregnancy outcomes for those most at risk.

The Momnibus — a play on the term omnibus, which is used to describe legislation with many goals — was first introduced in 2024 with eight bills, five of which passed in the House. Two became law last session, one requiring post-partum depression screening for new mothers and the other to provide Medicaid reimbursement for doulas, who care for mothers during and after pregnancy.

“We’ve seen Medicaid coverage extended with postpartum care. We’ve opened new doors for maternal health data reporting,” Rep. Gina H. Curry (D-Delaware), a founder of the caucus, said. “These victories matter, but they are only a beginning, because despite those wins, Pennsylvania remains one of the most dangerous places in this country to give birth, especially if you are a black woman.”

Legislation in the nine-bill “Momnibus 2.0” package includes measures to address maternal health care “deserts,” creating a diversionary court for mothers with substance use issues, providing newborn supplies for new parents, and promoting innovation in the practice of midwifery. Additional proposals would provide accommodation of breast feeding with nursing rooms in state buildings and add pumping breast milk to the exemption from the indecent exposure law under the Freedom to Breastfeed Act,

House Bill 1234, sponsored by Rep. La’Tasha Mayes (D-Allegheny), would expand Medicaid coverage for blood pressure monitors to provide one for each pregnancy. Currently, the devices are covered every three years. Legislation requiring private insurance to cover blood pressure monitors for each pregnancy passed the House 143-60 last week.

“In our commonwealth, black moms are two times more likely to die before, during and up to one year after childbirth, compared to white moms,” Mayes said, citing data from the state Maternal Mortality Review Committee. The vast majority — 93.5% of maternal deaths — are preventable with appropriate care, Mayes added. 

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication marked by increased blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy that affects up to 8% of pregnant mothers. Its results include premature delivery, organ damage and other longlasting effects as well as death.

“The power to change the trajectory of maternal death and sickness is in our hands,” Mayes said. “We, in the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus, intend to transform the lives of all moms in our Commonwealth.”

The measure passed the health panel 22-4 with opposition from four Republican lawmakers, who suggested the provision of a blood pressure monitor for every pregnancy was excessive.

“I’m not sure why they can’t just keep using the same one,” Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford) said, noting that the state’s contribution to Medicaid is one of its largest expenses and the state budget proposes taking billions from the surplus and rainy day funds. “It doesn’t seem like they’d wear it out.” 

Rep. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia), who is a nurse practitioner, said a $40 electronic blood pressure monitor is inexpensive protection against a hospital stay that could cost tens of thousands of dollars. And, he said, such devices become less accurate with extended use. 

Rep. Arvnd Venkat (D-Allegheny), who is an emergency physician, added that an automatic blood pressure monitor needs to be recalibrated every two years, so replacing monitors every three years is insufficient. 

“Like Rep. Khan, as health professionals who have treated patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia, an ounce of prevention absolutely is  worth much more than the price that happens when someone comes into the emergency department with this condition,” Venkat said. 

Rep. Aerion Abney (D-Allegheny) said House Bill 1212, which he sponsored with Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia), is modeled after federal legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and former Sen. Marco Rubio in a bipartisan effort to increase fathers’ participation in their partners’ care before, during and after pregnancy.

Abney said the support of fathers and partners during pregnancy is shown to have benefits for mothers and children. According to the legislation, expectant mothers are 1.5 times more likely to receive prenatal care in the first trimester when the father is involved in pregnancy appointments and milestones. 

A father or partner’s involvement during pregnancy can also promote the mental well-being of the mother, the legislation says. 

“Fathers are like pillars. They are like support systems,” Abney said before the committee voted 24-2 to approve his bill. “They’re almost like foundations on the house, right? … That support, that foundation is really important when the flood comes.”