Jefferson Reporter

Ahead of Mother’s Day, U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.Dak.) have introduced the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act. This legislation aims to provide crucial support to women during challenging phases of motherhood, including prenatal, postpartum, and early childhood development periods. It also seeks to enhance access to resources and assistance that will help mothers and their children thrive.

The introduction of this bill comes at a critical time as the number of U.S. births in 2023 was the lowest since 1979, according to provisional CDC data. Furthermore, the total fertility rate in America hit an all-time low last year.

Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kans.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mike Rounds (R-S.Dak.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) have cosponsored the MOMS Act.

Senator Britt said, “As a mom, I know firsthand that there is no greater blessing in life than our children and understand the types of challenges that women face during their pregnancy journeys and while raising their kids." She added that the legislation is evidence that one can be pro-life, pro-woman, and pro-family simultaneously.

Senator Rubio emphasized the need for legislation that supports mothers before, during, and after pregnancy. Similarly, Senator Cramer highlighted the financial strain of pregnancy and raising a family. He believes that the MOMS Act will provide pregnant women with necessary resources at all stages of motherhood.

The MOMS Act has received endorsements from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Americans United for Life, March for Life Action, the National Right to Life Committee, and the Family Policy Alliance.

Alabama, in particular, is in dire need of enhanced support systems for mothers. Over a third of the state’s 67 counties are classified as “maternity care deserts,” areas without access to birthing facilities or maternity care providers. Moreover, Alabama has the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation at 64.63 deaths per 100,000 births.

Senator Britt has prioritized health care, including maternal care, during her first 16 months in office. She recently questioned U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra on the President’s proposed FY25 budget for HHS and its reduction in funding to the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Grants for states.

Senator Britt has also been involved in introducing several other pieces of legislation aimed at improving maternal health care and outcomes, expanding access to maternal care in rural areas, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for breast cancer diagnostic tests, expanding coverage of telehealth services through Medicare, capping the price of insulin for all patients at $35 for a 30-day supply, and creating a national Youth Mental Health Research Initiative.