Below are public statements we have developed, collaborated on, and/or endorsed
Letter Supporting Health Coverage in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
HealthConnect One has signed on to a letter supporting the American Rescue Act. As health care advocates working to advance health coverage, affordability, and equitable access for all people, we are encouraged that Congress is taking these steps to ensure that everyone in this country can afford the health coverage we need to beat COVID-19 and deliver relief and recovery to all of America’s families.
Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act Update
HealthConnect One is proud to endorse the historic Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Our communities make the US stronger, and supporting birth equity makes Black communities stronger. The House package is co-led by Congresswoman Alma Adams and is composed of twelve bills – the nine from last year plus three new titles – that are led by different members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus.
Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage
HealthConnect One has signed on to a letter to the HHS Acting Secretary and CMS Acting Administrator urging swift approval of pending section 1115 demonstration projects aimed at extending postpartum Medicaid coverage. Specifically, the letter encourages the Biden Admin to work with states to extend comprehensive Medicaid coverage to a full year after the end of pregnancy regardless of health condition.
Families USA COVID-19 Relief Letter
Recently, HealthConnect signed on to a letter by FamiliesUSA. The letter urges the Biden Administration and 117th Congress to prioritize COVID-19 relief and the health care policies needed to truly turn the tide of the pandemic. It urges the Biden Administration and Congress to ensure those policy proposals advanced in the coming months adhere to the following principles: Every child, every family, every individual in this country must have access to high-quality, affordable health care and shouldn’t face financial ruin if they need care. Our health should not depend on our wealth. The health care system must be reformed to center patients’ and families’ needs, not profits for huge health corporations that leave consumers footing the bill.
HC One Statement Of Support For The Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act
As our country grapples with pandemic-related challenges and the movement toward racial and social justice, the time is now to support and advance outcomes that build healthy communities. Communities of color are suffering during this pandemic, we must ensure that they are properly vaccinated. As such Health Connect One supports the Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act.
The Family Act
Recently, HealthConnect signed-on to a letter to the 116th Congress in support of the FAMILY Act. The FAMILY Act, would create a national paid family and medical leave insurance program. The program would provide working Americans with up to twelve weeks of paid time off to address their own serious health issue, including pregnancy or childbirth; to deal with the serious health issue of a family member; to care for a new child; and for certain military caregiving and leave purposes.
First Year Health Policy Priorities for Biden Transition Team
HealthConnect One has signed-on to a letter with leading national, state, and local organizations in urging the Biden transition team and incoming Biden Administration to take bold and immediate action to address the country’s urgent health and health equity needs, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Approve Sec. 1115 Waivers to Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage
Recently HealthConnect One signed-on to a letter to the HHS Acting Secretary and CMS Acting Administrator urging swift approval of pending section 1115 demonstration projects aimed at extending postpartum Medicaid coverage. Specifically, the letter encourages the Biden Admin to work with states to extend comprehensive Medicaid coverage to a full year after the end of pregnancy regardless of health condition.
Statement On ICE Coerced Hysterectomies
In September, we joined the BMMA in a joint statement with other organizations about reports of forced hysterectomies on ICE detainees at the Irwin Detention Center, privately owned and operated by LaSalle Corrections. This attack on incarcerated Black and Brown bodies is part of a long history of policies and programs inflicting violence and harm on migrants and immigrants seeking refuge, safety and opportunity in this country. Forced hysterectomies and the calculated sterilization of those incarcerated by ICE is another attempt to control who has children and who can make decisions about their reproduction.
Infant & Young Child Feeding Constellation
In August, we joined the National WIC Association in a joint statement on supporting the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during COVID-19.
Joint Statement on Infant and Young Child Feeding in the Context of
COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States
As part of the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee-Affiliated COVID-19 Infant & Young Child Feeding Constellation, in August we helped call for ALL involved in the response to COVID-19 pandemic to equitably protect, promote, and support the feeding and care of infants and young children and their caregivers.
Mothers Day Campaign for Safe Birth protections
In May, we joined the March for Moms and Every Mother Counts in a letter to Congress encouraging bipartisan efforts to ensure that pregnant, childbearing, and postpartum people are supported during the COVID-19 pandemic, by extending pregnancy-related Medicaid to one year postpartum, making virtual prenatal and postpartum care and remote monitoring available, and improving access to midwives, community birth, community-based doulas, peer childbirth educators, and peer counselors.
Protect health workers and ensure access to testing & treatment
In April we joined Families USA in writing to Congress to encourage them to build on past bipartisan efforts and ensure equitable access to testing and treatment for COVID-19, protect and support the health workforce on the frontlines and protect against high and unexpected health care costs.
Title V MCH Block Grant appropriations letter
In March we joined AMCHP in a letter for The Title V MCH Block Grant which is a cost-effective, accountable, and flexible funding source used to address the most critical, pressing, and unique needs of maternal and child health populations in each state, territory, and jurisdiction of the United States.
Sign On Letter for Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act |
In January HealthConnect One signed onto a letter by The United States Breastfeeding Committee to support and ensure employees have reasonable break time and a private place to pump during the work day. However, nearly one in four women of childbearing age are excluded from coverage and have no clear right to break time and space.
2019
Letter for Friendly Airports for Mothers Expansion (FAME) Act
HC One has signed onto a letter by The United States Breastfeeding Committee to support the Friendly Airports for Mothers Improvement Act. By leading Congress to protect and support breastfeeding, you demonstrate a commitment to our nation’s families. Breastfeeding is a proven primary prevention strategy, building a foundation for life-long health and wellness. Breastfeeding parents who choose or need to travel should not have to struggle to find lactation spaces – no matter the size of the airport – risking painful engorgement, their milk supply, and possibly their breastfeeding success.
Letter for Small Airports Mothers Rooms Act of 2019
HC One has signed onto a letter by The United States Breastfeeding Committee to support of the Small Airports Mothers’ Rooms (SAMR) Act of 2019, recently introduced in the House by Congresswoman Carol Miller. The SAMR Act would require all small hub airports to meet the same lactation space requirements that large and medium hub airports must meet because of the FAM Act. These airports are required to provide a private, non-bathroom space in each terminal for mothers to express breast milk.
Letter from SisterSong against House Bill 481 in GA State Legislature
HC One has signed onto a letter by SisterSong to oppose House Bill 481. This bill could take away all access to abortion as early as 6 weeks. We know that many people are unaware that they are pregnant by 6 weeks, especially when the pregnancy is unplanned. With the significant systemic barriers that women – especially Black, Indigenous, Women of Color, and Queer and Transgender individuals face in accessing healthcare services, it is significantly more difficult to get to a clinic to confirm a pregnancy and talk through available options.
Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations
HC One has signed onto a letter by the USBC regarding the Federal budget negotiations for Fiscal Year 2020 are underway and it’s critical that the First Food field calls on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to support funding for breastfeeding. Starting in Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) and continuing every year since, funding has been allocated to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (FY14-FY19 = $8M/year). Appropriations for breastfeeding have helped build and strengthen critical programs and initiatives to improve maternity care practices, increase access to peer & professional support, ensure continuity of breastfeeding care, increase support for breastfeeding employees, and address disparities in breastfeeding rates. The letter urges that at least $13 million be directed in FY2020 for the CDC Hospital & Continuity of Care Breastfeeding Support program, to facilitate ongoing, critical efforts to build a strong public health infrastructure of breastfeeding support.
The Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act
HC One has signed onto a letter by the USBC regarding the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act (H.R. 866/S. 528). It would require that certain public buildings that have a public restroom provide a lactation room, other than a bathroom, that is hygienic and is available for use by a member of the public. A building may be excluded from the requirement if the building does not contain a lactation room for employees who work in the building and does not have a room that could be repurposed as a lactation space at a reasonable cost; or if new construction would be required and the cost is unfeasible.
The House bill was introduced and swiftly passed, and the Senate bill has been introduced with bipartisan support and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW). The letter urges EPW leaders to discharge the bill from committee so that it can go to the Senate floor for a vote.
Welcome Congress 2019
HC One has signed onto a letter by the USBC. They are preparing to welcome Members of the new 116th Congress during our upcoming Welcome Congress Week event, to be held virtually (with in-person options) February 18-22.
Healthy People 2030
HC One strongly concurs with Ifeyinwa Asiodu PhD, RN, IBCLC comment to “strongly support the inclusion of the MICH-2030-02: Reduce the rate of all infant deaths (within 1 year) objective. Black communities are disproportionately affected by poor maternal and infant health outcomes including higher incidence of prematurity, low birth weight, maternal and infant mortality and lower rates of breastfeeding. Thus, we need to continue monitoring and collecting data on infant mortality with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities”