The "Momnibus": A Vision for Healthier Moms and Babies
What is the Momnibus?
The Momnibus is a bold, coordinated policy vision aimed at improving health outcomes for mothers and babies—starting in pregnancy and continuing through the first year after birth. This initiative will take shape through a package of proposed policies, collectively known as the Momnibus, which will be introduced during the 2025 legislative session and in future sessions.
Over the past two years, we’ve engaged with a wide range of community partners, healthcare professionals, policy experts, and Oregonians with lived experience from across the state. Through these conversations, we've worked to better understand the challenges facing families and identify promising programs and innovative policy solutions—both from within Oregon and across the country.
The Momnibus is rooted in community insight, equity, and a commitment to building a future where every family has access to the care and support they need to thrive.
The Five Pillars of the Momnibus
Housing
Prioritize pregnant people and families with babies for rental assistance, eviction protection, and emergency housing assistance, and increase the supply of family-sized affordable housing units.
Expand availability of integrated maternal substance use and mental health treatments using evidence-based interventions including Project Nurture/ Nurture Oregon.
Expand the Oregon tax credits for kids and provide direct assistance to families during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
Increase the numbers of traditional health workers, including doulas, lactation counselors, and community health workers, as well as peer support specialists, through trainings and financial incentives.
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Aligning Coordinated Care Organizations with Momnibus goals of upstream solutions to perinatal and postpartum health.
Key Components of the Momnibus
Funding for Community-Based Programs:
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Invests in organizations serving diverse communities.
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Expand access to prenatal and postpartum care.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health:
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Improves access to housing, nutrition, and transportation for pregnant women.
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Tackles environmental risks that impact maternal health.
Expanding Mental Health Resources:
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Increases access to counseling and therapy.
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Addresses the mental health crisis among new and expecting mothers.
Support for Data Collection:
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Improves data collection on maternal health outcomes by race and ethnicity.
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Identifies gaps in care to create targeted solutions.
Why It Matters
Maternal Mortality Rates:
Black women are 3x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. it will reduce the preterm birth and infant loss across the state of Oregon
The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations.
Addressing Inequities:
60% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
Targeted policies can save lives and improve health outcomes. 45% of people suffer from birth trauma .
Take Action
1. Contact your congressional representatives.
2. Spreading awareness in your community.
3. Partnering with local organizations advocating for maternal health equity.
