‘Momnibus bill’ plans announced at Virginia’s Black Maternal Health Summit

Virginia lawmakers plan to introduce a “momnibus bill” in each chamber next year to help enhance maternal healthcare access, reduce mortality rates and address racial and unconscious bias.  A play on the term, “omnibus,” the forthcoming legislation will be able to address a series of factors that contribute to negative maternal health outcomes.  “Too many mothers, especially Back mothers, are facing preventable risk in childbirth,” said Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth. “We must invest in comprehensive maternal care that ensures every woman, regardless of race or income, receives the quality health care she deserves.” Lucas and House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, had assembled the Black Maternal Health Summit to bring together a coalition of lawmakers from various states, healthcare professionals and maternal healthcare advocates. After an initial gathering in the morning, people split off into breakout groups for roundtable discussions through the afternoon. Lawmakers from other states like Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas were present, who will also press for related policy in their home states.  “​​We’re facing this issue in 2024 because of a lack of implementing policy,” said Georgia state Senator Tonya Anderson. “The system was designed for failure, for a ‘superior’ and an ‘inferior’ class —...