From WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com …
— U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore say the newly introduced Perinatal Workforce Act will help address gaps in maternal care as well as health labor shortages.
The two Wisconsin Dems yesterday announced the legislation, which would provide funding to establish and grow programs to boost the maternal health workforce by adding more nurses, midwives, physician assistants, doulas and others.
The proposal would also require the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide guidance to states on promoting “racially, ethnically, and professionally diverse maternity care teams” as well as studying the impacts of culturally sensitive care in communities of color, according to the announcement.
Baldwin, D-Madison, said the effort aims to address disparities and ensure every mother can access the help they need and deserve.
“Sadly, the reality is that too many women — especially women of color — face dangerous gaps in maternity care that put their and their babies’ lives at risk,” she said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Moore noted more than 80% of maternal deaths are preventable and called for making “critical interventions” to save more lives.
The Milwaukee Dem argues the legislation would “build the maternal workforce that we need to keep mothers and their babies healthy while meeting their cultural needs and addressing the shortage of perinatal workers.”
Their proposal has the support of Planned Parenthood Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, Children’s Wisconsin, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective Inc. and other organizations in the state.
See the bill text and find the release below.
— U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden is touting a bipartisan proposal to expand access to mental health and addiction services for rural farmers and ranchers.
The Republican congressman, who represents the state’s 3rd CD in western Wisconsin, introduced the federal legislation alongside Colorado Dem U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, a release from his office notes.
The bill would require the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to study the accessibility of addiction and mental health care providers for farmers and ranchers impacted by various industry challenges, according to the bill text. These include: severe and persistent drought; extreme weather events; instability in the commodities market; misinformation targeting consumers and more.
The proposed federal study would seek to identify successful state-level programs that could be replicated at the national level, such as expanding telehealth, training specialists to cater to rural communities, and researching the effectiveness of existing services.
Van Orden says the proposal “takes an important step toward understanding the gaps” in care for agricultural communities.
“I’m committed to ensuring our farmers and rural families have access to the support services they deserve, and I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan effort,” he said in a statement.
See the release below.
Top Stories
– Kennedy allies petition to broaden US vaccine injury list
– Trump misses deadline for new CDC director nominee
– CDC’s Acting Chief Promises a Return to Stability in a Tumultuous Moment
– Dan Sullivan knew health costs were a problem. Now he’s running the gauntlet.
Press Releases
– U.S. Reps. Van Orden, Neguse: Introduce bipartisan bill to expand mental health access for farmers
