[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E39]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IMPROVING ACCESS TO MATERNITY CARE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 9, 2017

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 315, the 
bipartisan Improving Access to Maternity Care Act which I was pleased 
to introduce with Representative Burgess.
   Today, millions of expectant mothers in rural and underserved areas 
in our country face lengthy wait times and have to travel long 
distances to receive maternity care. Without adequate care, they are at 
increased risk for complications and their newborns are at higher risk 
to endure health problems. Access to maternal health care professionals 
including OB-GYNs and midwives is a critical component of consistent, 
high-quality maternal health care from conception through birth.
   In my home state of California there are only 4,856 OB-GYNs 
according to the Pew Charitable Trust, for almost 40 million residents, 
a shortage which can result in dangerous health risks and long-term 
consequences for new mothers and their babies.
   I'm proud to support H.R. 315, which takes an important first step 
toward meeting the growing need for maternal health care professionals 
across our country. By directing the collection of data about current 
access to maternity care, this legislation will identify the geographic 
regions of our country that face shortages in maternal health care 
professionals and will eventually result in the distribution of 
maternal health care professionals, including doctors and midwives to 
areas of the country where the full scope of their medical practice can 
be utilized and where they are needed most. This bill makes important 
progress toward ensuring that all Americans, expectant and new mothers 
have access to the healthcare they need and deserve.

                          ____________________