“Our Momnibus package is the culmination of years of work to address the critical issues surrounding maternal health and well-being,” Cephas said. “These core areas of increasing access to care, eliminating maternal health deserts, and addressing social determinants of health, guide our focus in this comprehensive platform. This caucus has done an amazing job of developing a multi-pronged approach to achieve health and maternal care equity for birthing people across the state no matter where they live.” Read more
State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, said the state’s budget, H.B. 611, makes new and historic investments in Black maternal health, public education, community development, disadvantaged businesses and fresh food financing. Read more
State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, applauded the House of Representatives for unanimously passing a bill today to combat maternal morbidity.Sponsored by Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, S.B. 262 would require the Department of Health to report maternal morbidity data using hospital discharge data from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. Read more
The House Health Committee today reported to the full House legislation that would ensure proper data collection on maternal morbidity as lawmakers work to reduce the growing and alarming number of maternal deaths in the state.The bill (S.B. 262), which would add “severe maternal morbidity” to the list of reportable events within the Pennsylvania Department of Health, mirrors legislation authored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., in the past two legislative sessions and is a key part of efforts by Cephas and Reps. Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, to reduce Black maternal mortality and improve Black maternal health in Pennsylvania. Read more
The House Majority Policy Committee hosted a hearing on Black maternal health and the troubling statistics involving Black mothers and birthing individuals and maternal mortality rates. The hearing corresponded with Black Maternal Health Week, which offers the public a chance to deepen the conversations about Black maternal mortality and Black maternal health in our commonwealth. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 9 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and the Women’s Health Caucus have created a joint Subcommittee on Women and Girls of Color, which will bolster their legislative efforts, according to PLBC Chair Donna Bullock. The subcommittee chair is state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny. “It just makes more sense for us to combine the work of this subcommittee and the Women’s Health Caucus since there is so much crossover on issues,” said Bullock, D-Phila. “ Representative Mayes is the right person to lead this joint committee because of her experience as a champion for reproductive rights, maternal health and other issues important to Black women. I’m looking forward to the work we can tackle in the new legislative session with this reinforced legislative body.” “I’m honored to be named the chair of this joint subcommittee and am looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and Women’s Health Caucus to help drive legislation that will have a transformative impact on the lives of women, girls and gender-expansive people of color across our commonwealth,” Mayes said. “With a new legislative session ahead of us, I am excited by this opportunity that continues my decades of work advocating for state policy and fighting for a just and equitable future toward a Read more
The Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus seeks to address disturbing trends of Black maternal mortality and morbidity and pass the Pennsylvania MOMNIBUS, a legislative package modeled after the federal MOMNIBUS legislation to change the trajectory of maternal health outcomes in Pennsylvania. Read more
Pennsylvania has a Children's Health Insurance Program that provides free and low-cost health care insurance to children. CHIP is not welfare – it covers children of working parents whose employers don't offer coverage and who can't afford private insurance. If you can't afford health insurance for your children, chances are they are eligible for CHIP. It's easy to sign up for CHIP If you think your children are eligible for CHIP, you can sign them up by calling 1-800-986-KIDS or visit www.chipcoverspakids.com . You can also contact my office for questions about your situation. What does CHIP cover? Immunizations Routine Check-ups Diagnostic Testing Prescriptions Dental, Vision, Hearing Services Emergency Care Maternity Care Mental Health Benefits Up to 90 Days Hospitalization in any Year Durable Medical Equipment Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Partial Hospitalization for Mental Health Rehabilitation Therapy Home Health Care Does my family qualify? The following factors are considered for a child's eligibility for CHIP: The family's income is within certain levels. Must not be eligible for Medicaid or have any other health insurance. Must be under age 19. Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful alien. Must be a Pennsylvania resident for at least 30 days, except for a newborn. Read more
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