Underwood's Legislation to Improve Health Care for Veterans Advances in The House of Representatives

Press Release

The Protecting Moms Who Served Act is the first bill in Underwood's Black Maternal Health Momnibus to be considered by Committee
Underwood's ACE Veterans Act would expand veterans' access to a full year's supply of contraception

Today, two bills led by Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) to improve veterans' access to quality health care advanced in the House of Representatives. The Protecting Moms Who Served Act (HR 6141) would improve prenatal and postpartum care by investing in maternity care coordination and improving data collection on maternal health outcomes for women veterans. The legislation is the first bill in Underwood's Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to advance in the House of Representatives. The Access to Contraception Expansion for Veterans (ACE Veterans) Act (HR 4281) would improve veterans' health by improving access to contraceptives.

"Veterans have given everything to our country; when they decide to start or grow a family, they deserve high-quality maternity care and critical social services to achieve optimal birth outcomes," said Underwood. "The Protecting Moms Who Served Act is part of a comprehensive response to our nation's maternal mortality crisis; it's a solution that focuses on the unique needs of women veterans. I'm thankful to the Committee for prioritizing this tremendously important issue and joining me in my work to improve maternity care for veterans."

The Protecting Moms Who Served Act, introduced by Underwood and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) in March, would improve maternity care coordination for women veterans throughout pregnancy and the one-year postpartum period. The bipartisan legislation is a part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act led by Underwood, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), and Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), a historic legislative package to address the United States' urgent maternal health crisis. The bill would commission the first-ever comprehensive study of the scope of America's maternal health crisis among women veterans, with a particular focus on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. Additionally, the bill makes critical investments in maternity care coordination for women veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.

"Many veterans, especially younger women veterans, rely on the Veterans Health Administration for contraceptive care, but are unable to get the reliable and uninterrupted access to contraception that many civilians receive--an essential piece of reproductive health care," said Underwood. "The ACE Veterans Act gives veterans the option to receive a full-year supply of contraceptives through VHA, rather than being limited to a 3-month supply-- a critical step that will improve health outcomes for women, and lower costs for the VA."

The ACE Veterans Act, introduced by Underwood and Congressman Conor Lamb (PA-17) in September 2019, would improve access to contraceptives for women veterans by giving them the option to receive a full year's supply of birth control pills, patches, or rings at VA. Currently, most veterans are only given a three-month supply, which can negatively impact the ease and efficacy of contraceptive access and use. Research suggests that a full-year dispensing option for oral contraceptive pills at the VA could reduce unintended pregnancies among women veterans and produce substantial cost savings for the VA.

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