Sen. McMorrow unveils maternal health plan targeting racial disparities
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow proposes federal maternal health reforms targeting the 75% higher mortality rate for Black women in Michigan.
LANSING, MICHIGAN — State Sen. Mallory McMorrow announced a comprehensive maternal health policy platform during a press conference Monday, highlighting stark racial disparities in maternal mortality as she campaigns for the U.S. Senate.
The Royal Oak Democrat unveiled her plan during Black Maternal Health Week, emphasizing statistics showing Black women in Michigan face significantly higher maternal mortality rates than their white counterparts.
“Having safe, accessible, and compassionate care when you’re having a baby should be a given in our country, but it’s not,” McMorrow said in a press release. “Black women in Michigan are more than 75% more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, and, through the leadership of activists and advocates here in our state, we have enacted real solutions to keep women healthy and safe throughout pregnancy and childbirth.”
Expanding Access to Midwife and Doula Care
McMorrow’s proposal would require both Medicaid and private insurance companies to provide reimbursements for midwife and doula care. According to the senator, access to these services can help mitigate the disparities that persist even when accounting for socioeconomic status and healthcare access.
The plan addresses what McMorrow described as some of the highest maternal health disparities in the nation, with Michigan’s statistics remaining troubling despite considerations for various social and economic factors.
Rx Kids Program Expansion
A centerpiece of McMorrow’s platform involves expanding Michigan’s Rx Kids program to the federal level. The prenatal and infant direct cash support program launched in Flint in 2024 and has since grown to serve more than 40 communities across the state.
McMorrow first proposed bringing Rx Kids nationwide in January as an alternative to President Donald Trump’s “baby bonus” program. The senator positioned her plan as a more comprehensive approach to supporting new mothers and their children.
The Rx Kids initiative provides direct financial assistance to families during pregnancy and early infancy, representing a model McMorrow believes could address maternal health challenges on a national scale.
Federal Legislative Goals
McMorrow’s maternal health agenda reflects her broader campaign strategy of taking successful Michigan policies to Washington. The senator emphasized the role of local activists and advocates in developing solutions that have proven effective at the state level.
The announcement comes as McMorrow continues building her U.S. Senate campaign platform, focusing on issues where Michigan has demonstrated policy innovation and measurable results.
McMorrow’s maternal health plan represents her latest effort to translate state-level policy successes into federal legislative proposals, according to the Michigan Advance.
