A new bill seeks to improve maternal health care for expectant mothers. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, (R-FL) introduced the bi-partisan sponsored bill with the Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act with Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and U.S. Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Terri Sewell (D-AL).
According to the bill’s introduction, recent studies have demonstrated low patient satisfaction for obstetric care in military health facilities despite pregnancy and childbirth being the top reasons for inpatient admissions at military treatment facilities. The bill would require the U.S. Department of Defense to provide Congress with a comprehensive study on access to maternal health care within the Military Health Service for service members and their dependents.
“Ensuring the well-being of our military families means addressing the unique challenges mothers face while they, or their spouses, serve in the military,” Rubio said. The Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act is a crucial step towards understanding and overcoming the obstacles to maternal health care within the Military Health System.”
