KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE THE BILL HAS PASSED!

This month marks a monumental step forward in prioritizing the health and well-being of Tennessee's mothers, fathers, and children as the Tennessee State Senate Health and Welfare Committee unanimously passed SB1832, the ‘Tennessee Maternal Health Equity Advisory Committee Act’ on April 18, 2024.

This significant legislative achievement is the result of collaborative efforts led by Marie Mott (Chattanooga), in collaboration with Alexis Alsup (Knoxville) of Empowered Doula Services and Femeika Elliott (Knoxville) of The Lotus Program.

In response to the pressing need for comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care, SB1832 aims to address the alarming disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly affecting marginalized communities. Inspired by the words of Senator Kyle and Senator Lowe, who emphasized the necessity for action plans and community partnerships, this bill is a testament to the power of grassroots collaboration in effecting positive change.

Key Highlights of SB1832:

• Inclusive Collaboration: SB1832 emphasizes the importance of inclusive collaboration among all maternal health practitioners and community-based organizations.
• Enhanced Data Collection: SB1832 seeks to improve data collection efforts and outreach strategies to better serve families across all regions of Tennessee.
• Actionable Steps for Equity: SB1832 prioritizes actionable steps to address continuing maternal health disparities, with a focus on women of color, poor women, rural women, veteran women, and women with disabilities. 
   

By fostering unity among healthcare practitioners and specialists, the bill aims to close the existing gaps in maternal healthcare access and outcomes.

The public and supporters are encouraged to attend a local press conference for questions and comments on June 17, 2024. The location will be announced soon!