Wyden cheers passage of bill to boost maternal health care
Senate Clears Wyden-Sponsored Legislation That Helps Bring Maternity Care Providers to Underserved Areas
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today celebrated passage of a bill he co-sponsored that would encourage more maternity health care providers to work in rural or underserved areas where lack of access to this key health care puts expecting mothers at risk.
“It’s a national disgrace that more women die from pregnancy-related complications here than anywhere else in the developed world,” Wyden said. “Too often, I hear from Oregonians in rural and underserved areas about the long wait times and long distances they must travel to access maternal care. I’m proud that this legislation is becoming law – it is a start to ensure resources can be sent to areas where they will have the biggest impact in giving women access to timely maternity care.”
The bill, called the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act, would require the federal government to identify areas that have a shortage of maternity care health professionals. Areas with this designation would receive additional resources to encourage providers to serve them, including improved student loan repayment.
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