Adams Joins VP Harris, White House for Maternal Health Day of Action Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) will participate in a Maternal Health Day of Action Summit hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House. During the summit, Adams and other stakeholders will call for passage of the Build Back Better Act, which includes a historic investment in maternal health.

The summit will be broadcast live here.

"As co-chair and co-founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, as well as co-lead of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, maternal health is extremely important to me," said Congresswoman Adams. "Over 700 women die each year because of complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Sadly, approximately 66% of these deaths are preventable. In fact, our nation is one of only 13 countries in the world where the rate of maternal mortality is worse than it was 25 years ago. Tragically, Black women, regardless of socioeconomic status, are dying from preventable pregnancy-related complications at three to four times the rate of non-Hispanic, white women."

"That's why today's day of action is so important, and why I'm so thankful to Vice President Harris for hosting this summit. The Build Back Better Act will save lives and improve outcomes because of the Black maternal health provisions we worked so hard to include. It's time for the Senate to act on behalf of every American mother. It's time to pass the Build Back Better Act."

Joining Rep. Adams at the summit are Black Maternal Health Caucus co-founder and Co-Chair Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Chairwoman Patty Murray, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, and many constituents and stakeholders, including Dr. Ann Newman of North Carolina.

A clinical specialist in psychiatric nursing, Newman received a diploma in nursing from the University of Virginia, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNC Charlotte, a master's in nursing from UNC Chapel Hill and a doctorate in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She served as an associate professor at UNC Charlotte for 30 years, teaching courses on psychiatric-mental health nursing and health policy. She also developed the university's online graduate program in nursing education.

Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D.is serving her fourth full term in Congress. She represents the 12th District of North Carolina, which includes parts of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. In 2018, she introduced the first Black Maternal Health Week resolution with then-Senator Kamala Harris. In 2019, she co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus with Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14). In March 2020, Adams, along with Harris and Underwood, introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act for the first time, and in February 2021 reintroduced an expanded version of the package with Senator Cory Booker. Adams is a mother of two and a grandmother of four.

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