Congresswoman Schrier Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support Mothers of Newborns
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), alongside Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05), introduced the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act. This bipartisan legislation would provide vital support through supply kits that include essential items for mothers and infants.
The NEST Act would help mothers by establishing a pilot program through Health and Human Services to provide supply kits to mothers with infants that include but are not limited to diapers, wipes, hygiene items, blankets, thermometers for newborns, postpartum pads, lotion, cold packs, breastfeeding supplies, blood pressure monitors, and information on the maternal health hotline. The program would focus on areas with increased need, such as rural communities. Priority will be given to mothers and infants whose family income does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty line.
"As a pediatrician and a mother, I know the difficulties that mothers of newborns face - physical, mental, and financial struggles are common in the 4th Trimester and present immense challenges. In fact, common expenses in an infant's first year of life average at $15,000 a year.” said Rep. Schrier. “That’s why I’m proud to work across the aisle to introduce the NEST Act and provide much-needed support for mothers by providing them with the resources they need for themselves and their newborns.”
“I believe being a mother is one of life’s greatest blessings, but it does not come without its fair share of challenges,” said Rep. Letlow. “It is my goal to make sure any woman who chooses to become a mother receives the information and support necessary to create a nurturing environment for their child. The NEST Act will get us a big step closer to achieving that goal.”
“I express my heartfelt appreciation for Congresswoman Julia Letlow, Kim Schrier, MD, Marianette Miller-Meeks, MD, and Nanette Barragan’s leadership in introducing the NEST Act,” said Kay Matthews, Founder and Executive Director of the Shades of Blue Project. “This critical legislation will support infant health and both maternal mental and physical health in the postpartum period, when maternal deaths and complications are most likely to occur. For years, the Shades of Blue Project has been independently distributing maternal supply kits across the nation and has seen the resounding positive impact in the lives of mothers and children. Through the NEST Act, the Congresswomen are creating federal infrastructure for the commonsense distribution of essential goods that will reduce the burden of inflation and economic strain on new parents and improve access to lifesaving informational resources, such as the new federal Maternal Mental Health Hotline number. With one in three women of color, servicewomen, and rural moms facing a maternal mental health condition, the importance of simple, yet effective health interventions like NEST cannot be overstated.”
“The Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit Act (NEST Act) offers an incredible opportunity to fight maternal and infant mortality in real time in the communities most affected,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus Campaign for Children. “The bill, introduced today by Reps. Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Julia Letlow (R-LA), will provide newborn supply kits to parents that will include diapers, wipes, postpartum and breastfeeding supplies, blood pressure monitors, and information that every new parent needs. Reps. Schrier and Letlow have truly captured the spirit of Children’s Week with this bipartisan, innovative way to address our country’s shameful rate of maternal and infant mortality, which both outstrip the rates in other high-income countries. No mom or baby in the richest country on earth should die from a lack of care, supplies, or information.”