WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the House passed U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Kat Cammack's (R-FL) Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3838). The legislation would improve maternal health throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, addressing disparities in maternal health outcomes and finding solutions to enhance health care quality and outcomes for mothers. The bill passed the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously in July 2023 and passed the House with a vote of 382-12 on March 5, 2024.

“The maternal health crisis demands action, and I am thrilled that the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 passed the House. Congress and partners across America must help ensure that every mom has access to the care they need before, during and after pregnancy, keeping families healthy and whole,” said Rep. Castor. “This legislation will help more moms have safe pregnancies and assist local community organizations in Florida improve the quality of care for new and expecting mothers. I urge the Senate to take this legislation up swiftly and get it to President Biden’s desk. We need more research, prevention, and evidence-based best practices to meet the needs of pregnant and postpartum women in America.”

“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is grateful for the passage of the bipartisan Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act in the House of Representatives this week. This bill will ensure continued support for the critically important work of state maternal mortality review committees, which are vital to our ability to address the rising rates of maternal mortality in the United States,” said ACOG President Verda J. Hicks, MD, FACOG. “Maternal mortality review committees play an essential role in improving maternal health outcomes across the country by advancing our understanding of why and how maternal deaths occur so that they can be prevented. ACOG thanks Representatives Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-TX); Diana DeGette (D-CO); Buddy Carter (R-GA); Robin Kelly (D-IL); Kat Cammack (R-FL); and Kathy Castor (D-FL) for sponsoring this bill’s reauthorization and reaffirming the importance of preventing maternal deaths.”

“As the United States continues to experience the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world, Congress needs to address this crisis through legislation that protects our nation’s mothers and babies. The Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 ensures we’re able to invest and support state Maternal Mortality Review Committees to examine pregnancy-related deaths. It would also disseminate best practices to health care providers including hospitals, perinatal quality collaboratives, among others, on ways to prevent maternal deaths and illness. March of Dimes applauds the leadership of Representatives Burgess and DeGette on this issue, and we applaud the bill’s passage,” said Stacey Y. Brayboy, March of Dimes Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs.

Watch Rep. Castor speech on the House Floor ahead of the bill's passage here.

Read Rep. Castor's press release on the introduction of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act here.