Too many Black mothers in Michigan have faced a health care system that fails them at every turn. Stories of being ignored, misdiagnosed, or dismissed are not just anecdotes; they are realities that have led to tragic outcomes. Michigan Senate Democrats are taking action with the reintroduction of the Momnibus bill package, a critical set of legislation aimed at tackling the racial and ethnic disparities that persist in maternal health care. Crafted by women of color, for women of color, the Momnibus package stands as a testament to the power of community-driven solutions.
Introduced on National Maternal Health Awareness Day, Senators Erika Geiss, Mary Cavanagh, Sarah Anthony, Stephanie Chang, and Sylvia Santana reintroduced Senate Bills 29-39. The bills focus on ensuring Michigan families have access to an equitable, safe, and dignified pregnancy and birthing experience. Senator Geiss, the lead sponsor, emphasized the importance of this legislation in addressing long-standing systemic issues in maternal health care. She stated that collecting data, expanding access to midwifery, and prioritizing culturally centered care are essential steps toward reducing maternal deaths and ensuring better outcomes for all families.
The Senate initially passed the Momnibus bills with bipartisan support last year. The reintroduction of this legislation on National Maternal Health Awareness Day highlights the urgency of advancing maternal health reforms and moving the bills through the legislative process again. Senator Cavanagh underscored the importance of addressing racial disparities in birthing experiences, particularly in Detroit, where Black infant mortality rates are significantly higher than those of white infants. She stressed the need for a birthing experience that prioritizes safety, protection, and options tailored to individual needs.
Michigan continues to struggle with some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, disproportionately affecting Black mothers. Studies have shown that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to their white counterparts. This alarming statistic underscores the need for the targeted efforts introduced in the Momnibus package. The legislation builds on existing health initiatives while introducing innovative measures that seek to close the maternal health gap.
Access to health care is not just about affordability; it’s about trust, cultural competence, and the elimination of bias. Black women often report experiencing dismissiveness and discrimination within health care settings, which contributes to poor health outcomes. The Momnibus package seeks to address these gaps by ensuring providers undergo implicit bias training and by expanding access to midwives who understand the cultural nuances of Black maternal health needs.
The Momnibus bills draw from existing community-driven programs and have received widespread support from maternal health advocacy organizations. Senate Bill 29, sponsored by Senator Geiss, mandates the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to publish studies and reports on biased or unjust perinatal care, including instances of obstetric violence or racism. It also codifies the Maternal Mortality Review Team’s responsibilities. Senate Bill 30, also sponsored by Geiss, creates a reporting tool for patients to document experiences of obstetric racism.
Senator Cavanagh introduced Senate Bill 31, requiring hospitals to provide evidence of policies that support patient protections, ensuring the presence of a doula, spouse, or companion during labor. Senate Bill 32 directs the Department of Insurance and Financial Services to collect information on medical malpractice insurers’ policies related to perinatal care. Senator Anthony’s Senate Bill 33 ensures pregnancy status does not interfere with a patient advocate’s ability to make life-sustaining treatment decisions.
Many expectant mothers in Michigan face financial barriers that prevent them from accessing quality care. Expanding Medicaid coverage through Senate Bills 38 and 39 is a crucial component of the Momnibus package. Senator Santana’s bills aim to bridge the gap by ensuring low-income families have access to essential perinatal services without financial hardship. Increasing reimbursement rates for midwives and other maternal health providers is another step toward making culturally competent care more accessible.
Senator Chang’s Senate Bill 34 clarifies that pregnancy or lactation status falls under sex discrimination protections in public places and workplaces under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Senator Santana’s Senate Bill 35 establishes a non-punitive plan of care for infants and parents affected by substance use. Senate Bill 36, sponsored by Senator Anthony, adds midwifery programs to the Michigan Essential Health Provider Repayment program. Santana’s Senate Bill 37 requires private insurers to reimburse midwives for their services, while Senate Bill 38 expands Medicaid coverage for perinatal and gynecological services. Senate Bill 39, also sponsored by Anthony, mandates Medicaid coverage for off-site ultrasound procedures and fetal nonstress tests.
Black women have long been ignored in medical spaces, resulting in substandard care and adverse outcomes. Senator Anthony addressed this systemic neglect, emphasizing the need for Black mothers to receive high-quality, compassionate care. She highlighted the Momnibus legislation as a meaningful step toward dismantling the systemic barriers that Black mothers face and creating a health care system that centers their needs.
Senator Chang reaffirmed that everyone deserves a health care system that listens to them and provides quality care, regardless of race. She pointed to the multiple barriers Black and other mothers of color face during pregnancy and childbirth, underscoring the importance of the Momnibus package in addressing these challenges. Senator Santana highlighted the deeply personal nature of childbirth and the critical need for respect and dignity in maternal health care. She acknowledged the longstanding inequities Black mothers have experienced and expressed the urgency of ensuring that all mothers can make informed decisions about their care.
The reintroduction of the Michigan Momnibus reflects a commitment to creating a supportive and equitable maternal health care system. Cassy Jones-McBryde, founder and executive director of the Michigan Chamber for Reproductive Justice and policy director for the Michigan State of Birth Justice coalition, emphasized the importance of ensuring positive childbirth experiences for all families. She noted the bipartisan support for these bills as evidence of the widespread recognition of the need for comprehensive maternal health care reform.
Nicole White, a licensed midwife and co-founder of Birth Detroit, reinforced the importance of centering equity and love in maternal care. She highlighted the bipartisan nature of birth and the universal need for safe, quality maternal care, whether in a hospital, home, or birth center. White expressed confidence that the Momnibus package would honor and affirm the human rights and dignity of all birthing families across Michigan.
The stakes in maternal health care are high, especially for Black women who have historically been marginalized in medical settings. The Momnibus bill package represents a meaningful step in the right direction, offering solutions that address the systemic inequities in maternal health care. Michigan’s Senate Democrats, alongside community advocates, are working to ensure that every mother, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, receives the care they need and deserve.