The Global MOMS Act: From Commitment to Action

On Tuesday, Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) introduced the Improving Global Maternal and Child Health Outcomes While Maximizing Successes Act — or the Global MOMS Act — which would take steps to fulfill U.S. commitments to improving maternal health around the world.

In 2000, the United States — along with the whole of the international community — pledged to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. President Obama has said he will make the MDGs “America’s Goals”. But MDG 5, which targets a 75% cut in maternal mortality, is the farthest off-track of all the goals. Hundreds of thousands of women continue to die every year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Two years ago, the House and Senate both passed resolutions affirming Congress’s commitment to fighting maternal mortality abroad and at home.

The Global MOMS Act is a key step in making good on those commitments. It would expand access to the full continuum of maternal health care, from voluntary family planning through postpartum care. It would “ensure that [maternal health care] services are based in individual human rights”. And it would call for development of a national strategy for fighting global maternal mortality, and better coordinate existing U.S. maternal health efforts.

The bill is endorsed by 17 organizations, including Amnesty International, CARE, and the White Ribbon Alliance. Eight of Rep. Capps’s House colleagues are already on board as co-sponsors. Ask your representative to co-sponsor the bill today!

Faraaz Mahomed and Heather Lasher contributed to this post.

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5 thoughts on “The Global MOMS Act: From Commitment to Action

  1. As long as elective abortion remains an option funded under the category of "voluntary family planning", this bill is a lie. Maternal and newborn health cannot be separated from the health of the unborn.

  2. As long as elective abortion remains an option funded under the category of “voluntary family planning”, this bill is a lie. Maternal and newborn health cannot be separated from the health of the unborn.

  3. Great I have read your article and by the way I found you website on Google and I think after I read somepost on you website especially this one I have my own opinion about what should I comment on the next conversation with my family, maybe next week I will tell my girl friendabout this one and get debate.

  4. Great I have read your article and by the way I found you website on Google and I think after I read somepost on you website especially this one I have my own opinion about what should I comment on the next conversation with my family, maybe next week I will tell my girl friendabout this one and get debate.

  5. Researches shows that in countries like India women death rate due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth is high compared with the previous years. Lack of care is the main reason for this hike. Indian Government should take necessary initiative for maternal mortality. androgel 1.62

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