Reduce the Maternal Death Rate: Vote for the North Carolina Momnibus Act

In view of the President’s expressed goal of raising the birth rate in this country, and in service to the Project 2025 goal of supporting human flourishing, I am writing to urge your strong support for the North Carolina Momnibus Act (S906)—a comprehensive legislative package consisting of 13 individual bills supporting black maternal health—because I believe it is a crucial step toward reversing North Carolina’s declining birth rate, as well as just being the right thing to do. A 2025 state report on maternal deaths in North Carolina from 2018-2020 found that 87% were preventable. (https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/women-infant-and-community-wellness/mmrcfactsheetwebpdf/open) North Carolina is experiencing a significant demographic decline in its birth rate, mirroring broader national trends. Since 2007, the number of births per 1,000 residents has fallen from 14.4 births to 11.4 births. That is a 20.9% decline overall. The state's total fertility rate is now below replacement level — meaning that without new people moving here, the state's population would decline over the long term, according to Nathan T. Dollar, director of Carolina Demography at UNC-Chapel Hill. The state's average age has reached nearly 40 years old, and the population of children under age four is stagnant or declining in several parts of our state. If mothers are afraid of dying, or of their babies dying, because of poor access to maternal and infant health care, this depresses the birth rate. This demographic trend has prompted the White House and national policy experts to explore bold solutions to encourage family formation and raise the birth rate, including financial incentives and expanded support for parents. However, at the local and state level, research and international experience show that improving maternal health outcomes and reducing barriers to healthy pregnancies are foundational to any effective pronatalist strategy. The Momnibus Act directly addresses barriers that discourage childbearing: ·        lack of accessible prenatal care, ·        maternal health disparities, and ·        insufficient support for postpartum recovery The Momnibus bill is not a DEI bill, even though it correctly focuses on black maternal health because of the high black maternal death rate.  In North Carolina, the Black maternal death rate was 61.4 for each 100,000 births from 2019-2023 (https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/maternal_mortality_c/mmr_black_c/NC). The maternal mortality rate for white women was 22.3 per 100,000 births. Experience has repeatedly shown that investing in the healthcare of traditionally marginalized communities ALSO ends up improving healthcare for all. By passing the Momnibus Act, the State Legislature would not only address North Carolina’s maternal health crisis and save lives, but also lay the groundwork for a healthier, more confident generation of parents. When women feel safe, supported, and empowered to have children, birth rates are more likely to stabilize and grow—a goal now championed by policymakers across the political spectrum. As your constituent, I respectfully urge you to cosponsor and advocate for the full Momnibus package. Take steps to ensure this bill has a hearing.  This is a vital investment in our state’s future, family well-being, and demographic stability. Thank you for your leadership and consideration.