Special to the Sun
On Tuesday, October 7, NeighborHealth convened state legislators, healthcare leaders, and public health officials for Maternal Health Legislation held a timely and urgent discussion on the persistent disparities in maternal health outcomes in Massachusetts, particularly those affecting Black and Latino individuals and people with disabilities.
Held at NeighborHealth’s South End location, the panel featured State Senator Liz Miranda of the Massachusetts Legislature who championed the 2024 Maternal Health Omnibus Bill; community health advocates from the Department of Public Health (DPH) – a key state agency that has released critical reports on maternal health inequities; representatives from MassHealth, which plays a crucial role in covering most pregnancies in the state; as well as leaders from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission and Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC). The panel also included community-based providers and services such as Flourish Care, South Cove, Upstream, and Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, all of whom work directly with birthing individuals and families.
Michael Curry, President and CEO, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, offered the event’s opening remarks, which centered on progress towards actionable solutions to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black, Latino, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities who are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than their White counterparts, regardless of income or education levels.
“Too many lives have been lost because our systems have failed to meet the needs of birthing people of color,” said Mimi Gardner, LICSW, MPH, Vice President and Chief Equity Officer at NeighborHealth. “At NeighborHealth, we believe everyone deserves the chance to experience pregnancy and birth safely. This event is an important step toward the systemic changes needed to make that a reality. We’re deeply grateful to the legislators who continue to fight for equity in underserved communities, and to everyone who showed up to be part of the conversation.”
Panelists explored solutions across four key areas: legislative reforms, community-based models, healthcare system transformation, and improved data transparency and accountability. Topics included expanding access to doulas and midwives, increasing culturally competent care, extending postpartum coverage under MassHealth, and the importance of scaling trusted community programs such as group prenatal care and neighborhood health centers.
“Massachusetts is facing a maternal health crisis that disproportionately impacts Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities. I was proud to file and pass the Maternal Health Omnibus Law, which extends MassHealth postpartum coverage, invests in doulas and midwives, and strengthens accountability across our healthcare system. But laws alone are not enough,” said Senator Liz Miranda. “We must continue to listen to families, partner with trusted community organizations, and demand equity and dignity in every birthing experience. I am grateful to NeighborHealth and all the partners in this work for convening today’s important conversation.”
NeighborHealth organized the panel event as part of its broader commitment to advancing health equity and ensuring all residents, regardless of background, have access to compassionate, high-quality, and culturally informed care. Following the passage of the Maternal Health Omnibus Law, NeighborHealth continues to play a vital role in advancing equitable care for underserved communities in Boston.
NeighborHealth, formerly East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, is one of the nation’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts, serving over 130,000 people and recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a National Quality Leader. For more than 50 years, NeighborHealth has offered access to comprehensive primary care, specialty care and emergency care for patients in the Commonwealth. In a first-of-its-kind merger in 2020, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center joined forces with the South End Community Health Center and expanded services to patients who live and work in Boston’s South End and Roxbury neighborhoods. NeighborHealth champions innovative care models to actively bridge health equity gaps in our low-income and immigrant communities with services unique from other healthcare providers in our state. For more information, visit www.neighborhealth.com.