Name: We Know What We Need: Centering Community Solutions in Maternal Health Care Policy and Infrastructure
Start: 2024-12-12T10:30:00-0500
End: 2024-12-12T11:45:00-0500

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST

International 8 Breakout

Systemic patterns of oppression have ensured that Black people, people of color, Indigenous people, people with low incomes, young people, people in rural areas and gender-expansive people have less access to, and lower quality of, health care in the U.S. This reality is starkly illustrated by the ongoing maternal mortality and morbidity crisis, particularly for Black and Indigenous birthing people. Workforce shortages and hospital closures further limit access to maternal health care at the same time as restrictions on reproductive health increase risks to pregnant people. Birth centers, midwives, and doulas have proven solutions to respond to the needs of pregnant people in their communities—both rural and urban—to improve quality of care and outcomes, but often face barriers at the state level to implementing them. Panelists will provide key insights on the historical and current landscape of maternal health, case studies from a regionally diverse set of states, and concrete strategies for state legislators to meet this moment.

Speakers

Dr. Natalie D. Hernandez-Green

Executive Director, Center for Maternal Health Equity

Dr. Hernandez-Green is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Founding and Executive Director of the Center for Maternal Health Equity at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). She earned her Master of Public Health from Emory University and her... Read More →

Jamarah Amani

Executive Director, Southern Birth Justice Network

Jamarah Amani is a Black, femme and queer community midwife. Jamarah is the architect of the Black Midwives Model of Care and the Birth Justice Bill of Rights. She is also the founder of Black Midwives Day, a nationally-recognized holiday.Jamarah is the Executive Director of Southern... Read More →

Sen. Liz Miranda

State Senator, Massachusetts-2nd Suffolk

Massachusetts State Senator Liz Miranda serves the 2nd Suffolk District in Boston, MA.Senator Miranda currently serves as the Chairwoman for the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion, Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development, and serves as... Read More →

Sen. London Lamar

State Senator, Tennessee-33

London P. Lamar is a dynamic leader and strategist committed to social justice and community empowerment. As State Senator for Tennessee’s District 33 and Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, she is the youngest African American and woman elected to the Tennessee Senate, where... Read More →

Fran Linkin

Director of Research, Reproductive Rights, SiX

Fran’s eighteen year career in reproductive rights and health spans the fields of public health, policy, and advocacy. Since 2019, Fran has worked to create unique spaces and opportunities for the state legislators in SiX's Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council to connect with... Read More →

Jennifer Driver

SiX Staff Session Lead

Breana N. Lipscomb

Senior Advisor, Maternal Health and Rights, Center for Reproductive Rights

Breana Lipscomb is the Senior Advisor of Maternal Health and Rights for the Center for Reproductive Rights. She has nearly 20 years of public health experience, and in her current role, she uses a human rights framework to develop advocacy strategies to advance maternal health equity... Read More →

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
International 8 Breakout

Breakout, Breakout Block B

Host Organization State Innovation Exchange
Media Closed to Media

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