The Shadow
The alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality in the United States demand continued
federal diligence.
Reportedly America suffers from the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the developed
world. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 80%
of our pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
Because of my concerns about this problem, I am working with federal partners to find solutions.
One of these partners, Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America (HMHBA), which was founded
in 2026 by Cara Osborne and Olivia Walton, put a meeting together of a select group of 15
officials.
Besides me, some of the others in the group included Second Lady Usha Vance, Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Tennessee Senator
Marsha Blackburn, Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan and former White House official Kellyanne
Conway.
Second Lady Vance shared with us her experiences regarding her most recent pregnancy, birth
and care following the birth.
One of the things she suggested was that we look at the combined medical assessments for both
children and mothers.
She advocated that these visits should not be weeks after birth, but closer to when the mother and
child are released from the hospital. Doing so would help identify any problems that might be
developing related to either the child’s health or potential emotional issues of the mother.
Telehealth can help facilitate health care provider access for the mother and child.
I recall one former client of mine who struggled with exhaustion and postpartum depression as a
result of caring for newborn twins. Her condition became so severe that she had to be committed
to a hospital for 48 hours to ensure her safety and well-being.
Childbirth can cause great potential for stress, exhaustion and postpartum depression, among
other issues.
Second Lady Vance advocated for better monitoring of the health for moms and babies in the
weeks after birth.
Dr. Oz discussed the recent rollout of the new CMS ACCESS Model. Under this program, his
agency is supporting the extension of care beyond the clinic and harnessing artificial intelligence
(AI) and telehealth to reach more families.
I believe telehealth and telemedicine, now coupled with technological advances, including
wearables (Oura rings and Apple watches, etc.) with AI-analyzed data, will make a huge
difference in the future.
These wearables can help moms track their health, spot trouble early and connect with providers
before things get urgent. She can check her vitals, get advice from a nurse over video and know
she’s got a team watching out for her, even if the nearest clinic is miles away.
During the same week of the HMHBA event, I held a hearing as the Health Subcommittee
Chairman to consider various policies. One of the bills discussed during the hearing was the
Rural Obstetric Readiness Act by Democratic Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly.
The Rural Obstetric Readiness Act seeks to create a new health care reality where we train more
rural health providers and doctors to handle obstetric care.
The National Rural Health Association notes that more than 67% of rural counties lack hospital-
based obstetrical services, with a majority of these counties lacking an obstetric clinician. That is
more than double the rate of urban localities.
Accordingly, more than two million American women live in what experts call “maternity care
deserts.”
The spirit of Congresswoman Kelly’s bill is to tackle maternal care deserts, which make
pregnancy-related complications more dangerous for mothers and infants.
Earlier this year, I voted for the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act and Prematurity Research
Expansion and Education for Mothers who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Act, which are
now law. These bills help federal agencies coordinate mortality prevention activities and promote
prenatal care.
Virginia state policy is treading on a path of maternal health success as well.
In 2025, a new state law took effect to allow licensed certified midwives and nurse practitioners
to access pediatric privileges where they can serve on 24-hour on-call duty for nursery care when
physicians are unavailable.
Having a midwife assist in areas where there are maternal care deserts will help enhance the rural
health care workforce.
Taken together, these and other policy ideas can produce dividends for maternal care.
By strengthening access to maternal health resources, mothers will be in a better position to give
care to their children and live healthy lives.
I will continue to work for policies that nurture an environment supporting mothers, improving
maternal care and fighting to eliminate maternity care deserts.
If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my
Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my
office via email, please visit my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/.
