Labor Pains: Senate Advances Bills Aimed at Fixing Michigan Maternal Health Crisis

Michigan Senate Committee pushes forward comprehensive maternal health legislation aimed at reducing racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes.

Historic Maternal Health Package Moves Toward Full Senate Vote

LANSING, Mich. — In a crucial step for maternal healthcare reform, the Michigan Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services has approved the Momnibus bill package, advancing it to the full Senate for consideration. The legislative package, backed by Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren), and several maternal health advocates, targets systemic racial disparities and aims to provide equitable care for Michigan’s mothers, particularly Black and Brown women.

The bill package includes Senate Bills 818–823, 825, and House Bill 5826. With provisions ranging from improved reporting of perinatal care injustices to expanded access to midwifery programs, the bills promise a robust response to Michigan’s maternal health crisis.

Sen. Geiss emphasized the urgency of the initiative: “It’s unacceptable that Black women and birthing people are still three times more likely to die during childbirth compared to their white counterparts. This package is about ensuring reproductive justice and trauma-free birth experiences for all.”

Bills Address Reporting Gaps, Access to Support, and Midwifery Programs

The Momnibus bills are designed to enhance healthcare accountability and expand access to services. Key highlights include:

• SB 818 (Geiss): Mandates public reporting of obstetric racism and obstetric violence cases by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
• SB 819 (Geiss): Introduces a patient reporting tool for biased care, to be managed by the Department of Civil Rights.
• SB 820 (Cavanagh): Ensures hospitals accommodate support companions, such as doulas, during labor.
• SB 825 (Anthony): Adds licensed midwives to Michigan’s student loan repayment programs to attract providers in underserved areas.
• HB 5826 (Xiong): Establishes a scholarship fund for aspiring doulas, prioritizing medically underserved communities.

“These bills, crafted by women of color for women of color, address the harsh reality of racial disparities in maternal care,” said Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.), who sponsored two bills in the package. “We demand better for our mothers and families.”

Advocates See Legislation as Turning Point for Maternal Health

The momentum behind the bill package reflects growing awareness of systemic inequities in maternal care across Michigan. Licensed Midwife Nicole White, co-founder of Birth Detroit, stated that the package represents “a turning point for maternal health.” The legislation, she said, “honors the dignity and human rights of all birthing families, whether at home, in birth centers, or hospitals.”

Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), a lead advocate of SB 822, framed the initiative as vital not only for equitable treatment but also for ensuring pregnant patients maintain control over life-sustaining medical decisions. “Pregnancy should never compromise someone’s right to make critical healthcare choices,” she said.

Broader Push for Reproductive Justice Amid Ongoing Debates

The Momnibus package’s passage comes amid heightened national debates around reproductive rights. Lawmakers emphasized the intersection of the Momnibus bills with broader reproductive justice efforts, especially as legislative battles over abortion access continue to unfold.

Cassy Jones-McBryde, Policy Director of the State of Birth Justice Coalition, noted, “Today’s hearing was a crucial step toward better birthing outcomes. These bills reflect the hopes and needs of our communities and are a bold step toward reproductive justice in Michigan.”

The package now heads to the full Senate, where supporters hope it will gain swift approval to address Michigan’s maternal health disparities head-on.

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