Advocating for Black maternal health remains focus of lawmakers
Policy Committee, Black Maternal Health Caucus co-host hearing in Pittsburgh
Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes April 15, 2025 | 12:07 PM
PITTSBURGH, April 15 – Too many expecting mothers are dying across the state, and with a growing number of health care facilities in danger of closing, more regions across the state have limited or non-existent access to maternal health care facilities. It’s a trend state lawmakers are attempting to reverse.
“Maternal health care deserts are creating a cascade of consequences for expecting mothers,” said Rep. Morgan Cephas, who represents portions of Philadelphia and co-chairs the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “Expecting mothers are being asked to drive up to 45 minutes to deliver babies, and – while in ideal situations that might not always pose an issue – deliveries cannot always be scheduled and do not always occur when expected.”
The House Majority Policy Committee and Black Maternal Health Caucus co-hosted a hearing on midwifery modernization and maternal health caucus Tuesday at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh. A recording of the hearing’s livestream can be found here.
“We are driven in the Black Maternal Health Caucus by one statistic: 93% of maternal deaths are preventable,” said Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, who represents portions of Allegheny County and co-chairs the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “The question is why we are not preventing them.”
The hearing was just one of numerous events hosted by the Black Maternal Health Caucus as part of the statewide, three-day Maternal Health Summit.
“There are devastating consequences, including life-and-death situations, for people living in maternal health deserts across the state,” said Rep. Gina H. Curry, who represents portions of Delaware County and co-chairs the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “Closing more hospitals and asking already overworked medical professionals to do more is not the answer. Babies arrive how and when they want to, which can create life-changing and life-threatening conditions for mothers – particularly those in maternal health deserts.”
Last month, the Maternal Health Caucus outlined its Momnibus package of legislation to address the many issues affecting Pennsylvania communities. The bills are aimed at decreasing maternal morbidity and mortality. The United States’ maternal mortality rate is several times higher than other high-income nations; in fact, it’s three times higher than France – the next high-income nation with an elevated maternal mortality rate.
“My district in Erie is just one of many counties across the state with limited maternal health resources,” House Majority Policy Chairman Rep. Ryan Bizzarro said. “Testifiers hammered home the fact more needs to be done to protect lives across the commonwealth.”
Testifiers detailed the need for more access to midwives and doulas to improve health care outcomes, particularly for people of color and Black women.
Tuesday’s House Majority Policy hearing featured testimony from Tica Nickson, the founder and executive director of BirthRoot Community Doula Alliance; Nia Howze, a patient from Pittsburgh who detailed her birthing experience; Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, an ob-gyn from Allegheny Health Network; and Annetra Taylor, a midwife from The Midwife Center for Birth and Women’s Health.
Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. Photos to be used for publication can be found at pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee/Galleries.