Rep. Lauren Underwood is leading the fight for maternal health, proving that bipartisan progress is possible—and that no mother should fear for her life while giving birth.
Women’s rights and maternal health are under relentless attack. Less than two weeks into Donald Trump’s presidency, the rollback of reproductive rights, threats to healthcare access and emboldened restrictions on bodily autonomy have left women more vulnerable than ever. With abortion bans expanding and maternal health protections at risk, the fear is no longer hypothetical—it is urgent.
But amid this crisis, there are leaders refusing to stand by. One of them is Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), a public health nurse turned member of Congress, who remains steadfast in her belief that real progress is still possible.
Pregnancy should be a time of anticipation and joy, but for too many American women, it is overshadowed by fear—not the natural anxieties of impending parenthood, but the terrifying reality of whether they will survive childbirth. The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, a statistic that should alarm every American. While our healthcare system is advanced in many ways, maternal care continues to fall behind.
An overwhelming 80 percent of severe pregnancy-related complications—known as maternal morbidity—are preventable, yet women continue to suffer from life-threatening conditions during pregnancy and childbirth. Even highly educated and insured women are not exempt from the risks.
More troubling, more than half of maternal deaths could be prevented with timely medical intervention, yet gaps in care, lack of postpartum support and failure to recognize warning signs put mothers at unnecessary risk. No woman should have to wonder if she will survive childbirth in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
An overwhelming 80 percent of severe pregnancy-related complications—known as maternal morbidity—are preventable, yet women continue to suffer from life-threatening conditions during pregnancy and childbirth.
Underwood’s commitment to maternal health is deeply personal. Diagnosed with a heart condition as a child, she developed an early appreciation for the life-or-death consequences of healthcare access. As a nurse, she worked on implementing the Affordable Care Act, but when she watched her representative break his promise to protect those with preexisting conditions, she knew she couldn’t stand by.
“I got mad and decided to run,” said Underwood. Against the odds, she flipped a historically Republican district in 2018, making history as the youngest Black woman ever elected to Congress.
Shortly after taking office, Rep. Lauren Underwood discovered a shared sense of purpose with Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.), both driven by deeply personal experiences. Adams was motivated by her daughter’s unnecessarily difficult childbirth, while Underwood was still mourning the loss of a friend who died after childbirth. Driven by these preventable hardships, they united to confront the maternal health crisis—an effort that strengthens the well-being of every American.
July 11, 2019. (Michael Brochstein / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images)
In 2019, they launched the Black Maternal Health Caucus, joined by then-Sen. Kamala Harris. Their goal was clear: Address the maternal health crisis, eliminate disparities and push for comprehensive policy solutions to save lives. With over 53 founding members, it quickly became one of the largest bipartisan caucuses on Capitol Hill.
Since its founding, the Black Maternal Health Caucus has driven landmark legislation, proving that maternal health can—and should—remain a bipartisan issue. The Protecting Moms Who Served Act, ensuring high-quality maternity care for veterans, passed with strong bipartisan support. The Rural Maternal and Obstetric Modernization of Services (Rural MOMS) Act, aimed at improving healthcare access in rural areas, also gained strong bipartisan backing.
The Momnibus Act is a sweeping legislative package of 13 bills designed to tackle maternal mortality and improve maternal health outcomes nationwide. While the full package has yet to become law, its individual provisions continue to gain traction. Underwood helped secure over $200 million in federal funding for maternal health initiatives as of 2024. She also spearheaded the NIH IMPROVE program, which provides $50 million annually for maternal health research.
This sustained momentum highlights a broader shift: Maternal health is increasingly recognized as a bipartisan priority.
Another critical area of success lies in research into maternal mortality causes and enhancing data collection. These efforts are essential to understanding and addressing the underlying causes of maternal deaths, ensuring that policy solutions are rooted in evidence and capable of driving lasting change. The bipartisan backing of these initiatives underscores that maternal health transcends party lines—when policymakers prioritize the lives of mothers, progress is possible.
Look, the problem’s only gotten worse—with one in three women now living in states with abortion bans, and one in two for Black women. However, I can tell you that the interest remains high, and we are doing the work.
Rep. Lauren Underwood
Despite the worsening maternal health crisis, Underwood insists that progress is still possible.
“Look, the problem’s only gotten worse—with one in three women now living in states with abortion bans, and one in two for Black women. However, I can tell you that the interest remains high, and we are doing the work. We are building coalition partnerships with advocates around the country, localizing this for people. Educating and encouraging folks to be part of the solution and that the Momnibus Act is the solution … so that’s why I’m optimistic,” said Underwood.
Her optimism isn’t unfounded—it’s fueled by real legislative wins, growing bipartisan support and a movement that refuses to back down.
“The dollars are going into a lot of Republican states and districts,” said Underwood. “A lot of those members are really just getting introduced to the good work happening in their communities. That’s how we build momentum.”
If the past five years have proven anything, it’s that progress is often nonlinear, but possible—and staying focused on the work is more important than ever, especially under difficult political conditions.
“Every mother deserves access to quality care, and every child deserves a healthy start,” said Underwood. “No one can argue with that.”
The fight for maternal health is far from over, but with continued advocacy, public pressure and the right leadership, meaningful change isn’t just possible—it’s within reach. To make that vision a reality, Congress must continue funding these programs, and the public must demand that maternal health remains a national priority.
Make your voices heard. Call your representatives and demand action. Support grassroots organizations advocating for maternal care. Spread awareness about the Momnibus Act and encourage bipartisan solutions to this crisis.
Continuing to support leaders like Rep. Underwood and the Black Maternal Health Caucus is a crucial step toward ensuring that no mother in America has to fear for her life while bringing a child into the world.
This isn’t about left or right—it’s about saving lives, one policy at a time.
