NC 'Momnibus' bill gains support as lawmakers push to improve Black maternal health

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Lawmakers and healthcare advocates gathered Wednesday at the North Carolina General Assembly to support the latest version of the "Momnibus" bill, aimed at improving maternal health outcomes for Black mothers and babies.

Supporters say the legislation would provide new funding for organizations working to address disparities in maternal care and raise awareness about the challenges Black women face during pregnancy and childbirth.

State Sen. Natalie Murdock, a Democrat representing District 20, said Black women continue to experience significantly worse maternal health outcomes than white women, both nationally and in North Carolina.

Murdock said she has focused on securing funding for nonprofits and grassroots groups that support Black mothers and work to improve health outcomes, while also highlighting progress already being made.

"We know that we can do better as a state and really want to highlight what we're getting right," Murdock said. "We worked with Governor Stein to proclaim April as Black Maternal Health Week, and we're following up with this day of advocacy so that women from across the state can speak directly with their legislators."

Wednesday's advocacy day brought women from across North Carolina to the Legislative Building to share their experiences and discuss potential policy changes.

Murdock said raising public awareness is a key part of addressing disparities and improving outcomes over time.

"Even when you look at socioeconomic status, the North Carolina Institute of Medicine found that Black women with a Ph.D. have worse health outcomes than a white woman with a high school diploma," Murdock said. "So we know we're missing the mark and still have a long way to go."

She added that rebuilding trust in the healthcare system is also critical, citing generations of mistrust within Black communities.

Download the ABC11 News app for breaking news and weather alerts