State of Black Maternal Health in Pennsylvania: 2026 Snapshot
- BWPC Team
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
Pennsylvania continues to face a maternal health crisis, and Black women and birthing people bear the greatest burden.
Black women in Pennsylvania are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. These deaths are not driven by biology or individual behavior, but by systemic failures: delayed care, implicit bias, lack of culturally responsive providers, gaps in postpartum support, and economic and social stressors that compound health risks.
The crisis does not end at birth. More than half of pregnancy-related deaths occur during the postpartum period, often weeks or months after delivery, when support systems fall away and health coverage has historically lapsed.
The PA Black Maternal Health Caucus
In 2023, the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus was formed to center Black women’s lived experiences in policymaking and drive systemic change. The caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Morgan Cephas, Gina H. Curry, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, has championed a comprehensive PA MOMNIBUS agenda focused on eliminating racial disparities in maternal health.
Their work recognizes that maternal health is not just a medical issue. It is shaped by housing stability, transportation, workplace protections, mental health access, and economic security.
Recent Legislative Wins
Pennsylvania has taken important steps forward:
Extended Medicaid postpartum coverage (12 months)
Ensures continuous care during the highest-risk period after childbirth.
Medical Assistance coverage for doula services
Expands access to culturally responsive, community-based birth support shown to improve outcomes for Black mothers.
Perinatal and Postpartum Education Act
Strengthens public education and provider awareness around postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.
Severe maternal morbidity reporting improvements
Enhances data collection and accountability beyond mortality alone.
These policies save lives, but they must be fully implemented, adequately funded, and expanded.
New & Pending Legislation: PA MOMNIBUS 2.0
The PA MOMNIBUS 2.0 package builds on existing progress and addresses persistent gaps, including:
Addressing maternal health deserts
Expanding access to midwives and lactation support
Providing home blood pressure monitors to prevent postpartum deaths
Supporting breastfeeding and pumping protections
Investing in postpartum supply kits and family supports
Strengthening substance use diversion programs for pregnant and parenting people
Together, these bills reflect a growing recognition that maternal health equity requires a full continuum of care, before,
during, and long after birth.
What Needs to Happen Next
Extended postpartum Medicaid coverage was a critical step, but it cannot be the last one.
Advocate for full implementation & funding
Call or write your Pennsylvania State Senator and Representative and urge them to:
Fully fund 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage
Ensure provider networks are adequate and culturally responsive
Support the full PA MOMNIBUS 2.0 legislative package
Find your legislators:
Demand accountability
Ask lawmakers how they are:
Monitoring outcomes for Black mothers
Addressing provider bias and quality of care
Ensuring Medicaid expansion translates into real access, not just eligibility
Use your voice
Share this message:
“Black maternal health is a racial justice issue. Pennsylvania has the tools to prevent these deaths, now it must act boldly, fully fund solutions, and center Black women’s lives.”
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