Warren, Underwood, 70+ Lawmakers Reintroduce Bicameral Bill to Address Maternal Health Risks During Public Health Emergencies

Skip to primary navigation Skip to content × Close Mobile Nav About About Elizabeth Committee Assignments About Massachusetts Voting Record Contact Share Your Opinion Help with a Federal Agency Office Locations Send me Updates Share Your CFPB Story Save Our Schools Services Help with a Federal Agency Return to Repayment Guide Visiting DC/Tours Flag Request Internships Meeting Requests Academy Nominations Special Recognitions Grants Small Businesses Veterans, Servicemembers and Military Families FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act Requests FY 2027 Appropriations Requests Oversight Reports Letters Social Security War Room Save Our Schools Campaign Legislation Newsroom News Coverage Press Releases Op-Eds Videos × Close Site Search search Elizabeth Warren Senator Elizabeth Warren's Facebook Page (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's BlueSky (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Twitter (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Youtube (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Instagram (This link opens in new window or tab.) About About Elizabeth Committee Assignments About Massachusetts Voting Record Contact Share Your Opinion Help with a Federal Agency Office Locations Send me Updates Share Your CFPB Story Save Our Schools Services Help with a Federal Agency Return to Repayment Guide Visiting DC/Tours Flag Request Internships Meeting Requests Academy Nominations Special Recognitions Grants Small Businesses Veterans, Servicemembers and Military Families FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act Requests FY 2027 Appropriations Requests Oversight Reports Letters Social Security War Room Save Our Schools Campaign Legislation Newsroom News Coverage Press Releases Op-Eds Videos Español Close Search Open Search Popup Popup Search Close Search Popup MENU Senator Elizabeth Warren's Facebook Page (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's BlueSky (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Twitter (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Youtube (This link opens in new window or tab.) Senator Elizabeth Warren's Instagram (This link opens in new window or tab.) Home Newsroom Press Releases May 19, 2026 Warren, Underwood, 70+ Lawmakers Reintroduce Bicameral Bill to Address Maternal Health Risks During Public Health Emergencies Bill Text (PDF) Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) led over 70 lawmakers in reintroducing the Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act to address maternal health risks during public health crises like COVID-19 and the ongoing hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks. In such emergencies, pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women are uniquely vulnerable and face an increased risk for adverse maternal health outcomes. In October 2022, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, maternal health outcomes severely worsened. In 2020 and 2021, the disease contributed to 25% of maternal deaths — 80% higher than before the pandemic hit. Women of color proved to be especially vulnerable, with the maternal mortality rate increasing by more than 50% for Black women and doubling for Hispanic women from 2019 to 2021. This bill would advance pivotal policies to address current and future maternal health risks during public health emergencies. “Public health emergencies push our already-broken health care system to the brink, and it’s pregnant women and moms who pay the price. We can’t get caught flat-footed by the next pandemic or health crisis — we have to invest in measures to protect women now,” said Senator Warren. “During public health emergencies we know that pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding moms are uniquely vulnerable and at increased risk for adverse maternal health outcomes,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood . “We can do so much more to protect moms and families. The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act will make sure we are collecting the right data, making the right investments, and communicating the right information to save lives.” The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act will: Authorize robust funding for federal programs that support maternal and infant health during public health emergencies. Improve maternal health data collection, reporting, and transparency standards during public health emergencies. Support public health education campaigns on providing safe maternity care during public health emergencies. Establish a task force on birthing experiences and safe, respectful maternity care during public health emergencies. This bill is cosigned in the Senate by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). This bill is cosigned in the House by: Representa