AONL’s Black Maternal Health Statement

On behalf of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership’s (AONL) more than 10,000 member nurse leaders, thank you for introducing comprehensive legislation to address the maternal mortality crisis, especially affecting Black mothers and babies, in the United States.

AONL strongly supports the Black Maternal Health Momnibus and applauds Congresswomen Underwood and Adams for their leadership in developing this legislation.

As the national professional association of nurse leaders working in all health settings, AONL is the voice of nursing leadership. AONL is a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association.

As nurse leaders on the frontline of this crisis, our members are acutely aware that women, especially black women, are at risk from the beginning of their pregnancy through the postpartum period. AONL is working in collaboration with the AHA and several nursing organizations to improve access to care, eliminate unconscious bias and increase cultural competency.

AONL is an integral part of the AHA’s Better Health for Mothers and Babies Initiative, which provides an organizational framework for addressing maternal morbidity and mortality. The initiative supports health care leaders and clinicians with resources to help them evaluate and act on their data, and use evidence-based tools to improve care and patient outcomes.

As members of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, AONL advocates for funding of Title V block grant programs to improve the health and well-being of our nation’s mothers and children. Additionally, AONL joined a letter from 35 organizations to Congress requesting funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Moms and Babies initiative in the next COVID-19 relief legislation.

Thank you for hosting the Black Maternal Health Caucus Stakeholder Summit. AONL supports the Momnibus and looks forward to helping pass this lifesaving legislation.