PBMHC applauds Shapiro’s Medicaid expansion for doula services

(1 day ago)

“Doulas address Black maternal mortality and morbidity by reducing complications and improving maternal health outcomes. With the Department of Human Services’ expanding doula services, the state will allow doulas to enroll as Medicaid providers, making these services more affordable for low-income Pennsylvanians. With Black women 3.5 times more likely to die during pregnancy-related complications, we must ensure that they have access to services that would aid them during their pregnancies. We thank Gov. Josh Shapiro, Secretary of Human Services Val Arkoosh, and the administration for advancing policies that address Black maternal health, and the PBMHC will work toward advancing PA’s MOMNIBUS – a legislative package introduced to boldly address maternal morbidity and mortality – to the governor’s desk.” Read more

 

Fiedler introduces Perinatal and Postpartum Screening Act

(Mar 25, 2024)

The bill is cosponsored by Rep. Gina Curry and Rep. Lisa Borowski and is part of a “Momnibus” legislative package introduced by the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus. Other bills in the package propose expanding Medicaid coverage for doula services, requiring private insurance coverage of blood pressure cuffs for new parents, distributing “welcome baby kits” to some new mothers and more. Read more

 

E-Blast: Back in session, Momnibus introduction & more!

(Mar 22, 2024)

What a week it was in Harrisburg! It was great to see all of my colleagues under the same roof after some extended time away.  Read more

 

PBMHC co-chairs introduce Pennsylvania’s Momnibus legislative package

(Mar 19, 2024)

Curry said, “When my co-chairs Reps. Cephas, Mayes, and I created the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus back in October 2023, we knew we had no time to wait before we sprinted into action. In my district and all across the commonwealth, women have become victims of health care system closures. These closures have created an alarmingly increasing problem of maternal health deserts. Nineteen counties in Pennsylvania have hospitals that don’t provide obstetric services and don’t have accredited freestanding birth centers. Thirty-one counties don’t have a Newborn Intensive Care Unit. This is a horrifying reality and one that we want to change now. Read more

 

E-Blast: Back to session next week, PASSi ribbon cutting & more!

(Mar 15, 2024)

I enjoyed a gap week from Harrisburg. Last week we finished our budget appropriations hearings. Next week, we all gather in the House chamber to get back into legislative session. Read more

 

E-Blast: Last Round of Budget Hearings, Upcoming Events & more!

(Mar 08, 2024)

This week we knocked out the last round of House Appropriations budget hearings. We heard from: The Department of TransportationThe State PoliceThe Department of EducationThe Department of Human ServicesThe Governor's Budget Office Read more

 

Pennsylvania's Black Maternal Health Caucus; Fighting for Futures

(Mar 07, 2024)

In a 2022 March of Dimes report, Pennsylvania had 6 counties classified as maternity care deserts. 14 counties had moderate access to maternity care. Read more

 

E-Blast: Budget Hearings So Far, Maternal Health Center in Philly & more!

(Mar 01, 2024)

Another week, another round of House Appropriations budget hearings. On Tuesday, we heard testimony from Marva Linda Montgomery during our policy hearing on Safer Communities! Marva is a PGWM PA at Deborah Grand Chapter and a resident of Philadelphia. She's also a fellow Delta! Rep. Cephas and I caught up with her after the hearing! Read more

 

E-Blast: Budget Hearings, SEPTA Grant & more!

(Feb 23, 2024)

This week we started the long process of our House Appropriations budget hearings. Read more

 

E-Blast: Brunch & Learn, Black & Diverse Next Week & more!

(Feb 16, 2024)

We're already halfway through February! The highlight of my week was joining the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus' Brunch and Learn which was focused on our theme of Access in Crisis. Read more

 

E-Blast: Governor's Budget Address, Upcoming Events & more!

(Feb 09, 2024)

We witnessed history in Harrisburg this week! Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his state budget address from the Rotunda of the state Capitol due to repairs being made in the PA House chamber! Gov. Shapiro called for increases in funding for education, infrastructure and more. I am especially excited for the governor's proposed investments to address maternal mortality, especially among Black mothers and families. Read more

 

Statement on police-involved shooting and fire in East Lansdowne

(Feb 09, 2024)

“This is a devastating loss for our community in East Lansdowne and the effects are being felt throughout Delaware County and beyond," Curry said. “I am grateful that our community knows how to come together and aid others at such a difficult time. We are reeling but we are resilient! Read more

 

PBMHC applauds Shapiro’s proposals for investments in maternal health care

(Feb 07, 2024)

“We applaud the governor for working with us to address this crisis so we may ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to equitable health care of the highest quality.” Read more

 

E-Blast: Childcare Women's Health, Bonner Prendie Send Off & more!

(Feb 02, 2024)

We have already welcomed February! I was busy this week with meetings and events in Harrisburg and in the 164th Legislative District!  Read more

 

E-Blast: Childcare Tax Credit Expansion, Women's Healthcare, Upcoming Events & more!

(Jan 26, 2024)

I hope all of you have been enjoying 2024 so far, it's hard to believe that we are almost done our first month of the new year! This week, we celebrated Maternal Health Awareness Day! Read more

 

O’Mara, Curry, Borowski commend child and dependent care tax credit expansion with local families

(Jan 23, 2024)

The new law now matches the federal credit on state taxes. This boosted the maximum state credit from $630 to $2,100 for Pennsylvania families.  Read more

 

PA Black Maternal Health Caucus recognizes Maternal Health Awareness Day

(Jan 23, 2024)

Curry added, “We introduced House Resolution 278 as the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council reported more than 2,500 cases of severe maternal morbidity in Pennsylvania from 2021 to 2022. More so, Black, non-Hispanic patients are two to three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause. As such, we must raise awareness of maternal health, so as to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality in our commonwealth.” Read more

 

State lawmakers roll out legislation to facilitate safe abortion access

(Jan 22, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – Today, on the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roe v. Wade , state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, hosted a news conference at the state Capitol announcing the introduction of legislation regarding abortion rights. Rep. Khan was joined by fellow legislators and abortion-rights advocates. The legislation aims to remove unnecessary obstacles to safe abortion access by eliminating the requirement that abortion facilities meet the same regulations as ambulatory surgical centers. It would also remove the excessive mandate that abortion providers maintain admitting privileges or have transfer agreements at hospitals, which only blocks access to care. The legislators who have also prime-sponsored Khan’s bill are state Reps. La'Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny; Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery; Mary Issacson, D-Phila.; Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester; Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester; Tara Probst, D-Monroe/Pike; Heather Boyd, D-Delaware; Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery; Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware; and Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia. "As a nurse, I know that restrictive abortion laws do not lower abortion rates — they just make them less safe," Khan said. "We must remove any unnecessary requirements from facilities that provide this care. Our bill increases access to safe abortion by increasing people's access to safe abortion Read more

 

E-Blast: MLK Day Recap, PTRR Expansion & more!

(Jan 19, 2024)

I hope you are all staying safe and warm as we endure what seems like a whole week of never-ending snow. Remember to limit your time outside, take it easy shoveling, and if you have to travel, clean off your vehicle, drive slowly, and maintain a safe traveling distance. Read more

 

E-Blast: MLK Day, House Fellowship Program & more!

(Jan 12, 2024)

While we're still a long way from our next Legislative Session, I want to tell you about a bill that I plan on introducing. House Bill 1944 will remove out-of-pocket costs for those seeking diagnostic imaging for breast cancer. Many women have access to free screening mammograms through their insurance. Read more

 

PBMHC applauds Shapiro’s Medicaid expansion for doula services
1 day ago

Fiedler introduces Perinatal and Postpartum Screening Act
Mar 25, 2024

E-Blast: Back in session, Momnibus introduction & more!
Mar 22, 2024

PBMHC co-chairs introduce Pennsylvania’s Momnibus legislative package
Mar 19, 2024

E-Blast: Back to session next week, PASSi ribbon cutting & more!
Mar 15, 2024

E-Blast: Last Round of Budget Hearings, Upcoming Events & more!
Mar 08, 2024

Pennsylvania's Black Maternal Health Caucus; Fighting for Futures
Mar 07, 2024

E-Blast: Budget Hearings So Far, Maternal Health Center in Philly & more!
Mar 01, 2024

E-Blast: Budget Hearings, SEPTA Grant & more!
Feb 23, 2024

E-Blast: Brunch & Learn, Black & Diverse Next Week & more!
Feb 16, 2024

E-Blast: Governor's Budget Address, Upcoming Events & more!
Feb 09, 2024

Statement on police-involved shooting and fire in East Lansdowne
Feb 09, 2024

PBMHC applauds Shapiro’s proposals for investments in maternal health care
Feb 07, 2024

E-Blast: Childcare Women's Health, Bonner Prendie Send Off & more!
Feb 02, 2024

E-Blast: Childcare Tax Credit Expansion, Women's Healthcare, Upcoming Events & more!
Jan 26, 2024

O’Mara, Curry, Borowski commend child and dependent care tax credit expansion with local families
Jan 23, 2024

PA Black Maternal Health Caucus recognizes Maternal Health Awareness Day
Jan 23, 2024

State lawmakers roll out legislation to facilitate safe abortion access
Jan 22, 2024

E-Blast: MLK Day Recap, PTRR Expansion & more!
Jan 19, 2024

E-Blast: MLK Day, House Fellowship Program & more!
Jan 12, 2024