HARTFORD, CONN (WTIC Radio)-Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) has co-sponsored a measure to address the maternal disparities in
pregnancy care for Black and Brown women.
Appearing at a State Capitol press conference with health care advocates, Blumenthal introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white woman.
Further Connecticut Black babies born to Black women have a higher risk of dying before their first birthday ha babies born to white women.
Blumenthal said the measure increases the WIC program, which provides more nutrition. It also expands training for the nursing workforce, community organization aid and mental health.
Blumenthal said he was inspired this session by the work of Hamden State Representative Robyn Porter supporting funding for Dulas and mid-wives.
Porter said the issue is all about "structural racism and implicit bias, designed by the system to to what it's doing". But she said it affects all women.
Blumenthal said the measure will cost $one Billion a year.
But he points out lawmakers this will begin to hash out the defense budget which will approach $960 Billion.
