Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services announced three initiatives to increase positive outcomes for maternal health. 

"President Trump and his administration have made tremendous efforts to protect and enhance the health of mothers. These three initiatives will help to reduce hypertension, assist breastfeeding mothers, and improve maternity care. This work builds upon the work that Congress has done to address maternal health and mortality. As an OB/GYN, I appreciate President Trump and his administration’s commitment to the health and well-being of mothers and their babies,” said Burgess.

Background on the three initiatives: 

• $8 million will support a nationwide contract with Premier, Inc. to help improve data on maternal health measures and implementation of evidence-based maternity care practices. 
• $3.3 million will go towards a hypertension innovator award competition for existing programs that work to reduce hypertension during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
• $800,000 will go towards supporting existing programs that address breastfeeding uptake and continuation and work to decrease disparities in breastfeeding.