Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly has proposed a new maternal health bill known as the Women Expansion for Learning and Labor Safety (WELLS) Act. This initiative follows a viral video depicting an African American woman in labor who was turned away from a hospital in Indiana and subsequently gave birth in her truck. Kelly’s bill aims to ensure that women in active labor are not denied care or sent home from hospitals. The WELLS Act seeks to establish standards for maternal healthcare to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Why it matters:
- This bill addresses critical gaps in maternal health care, particularly for marginalized communities, highlighting systemic issues in healthcare access.
- The proposed legislation could lead to improved maternal outcomes and healthcare policies across the United States.
The latest:
- The bill is currently being discussed in congressional committees, with support from various healthcare advocates bringing attention to maternal health issues.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/illinois-congresswoman-proposes-new-maternal-health-bill-in-response-to-viral-video-253110853891
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/illinois-congresswoman-proposes-new-maternal-health-bill-in-response-to-viral-video-253110853891