CARE Celebrates the Introduction of the Global MOMS Act in U.S. House of Representatives

- First Comprehensive Maternal Health Legislation to Improve the Health of Women and Newborns Around the World -

WASHINGTON, May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CARE applauds the leadership of Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) who last night introduced the Improvements in Global Maternal and Newborn Health Outcomes While Maximizing Successes Act in the United States House of Representatives. If passed, this legislation – also known as the GLOBAL MOMS Act – would improve access to life-saving care for women and infants around the world, including skilled medical assistance, family planning information and services.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100512/DC03730)

The Global MOMS Act will create a comprehensive maternal health and newborn strategy that would be implemented through the United States government's Global Health Initiative. It also would improve coordination among United States agencies that are already working to improve care for women and their children.

"The U.S. government's commitment to maternal and child health programs has made an enormous difference in saving the lives of millions of women and children globally each year. But women continue to die at an alarming rate from preventable causes.  More must be done," said Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE. "By investing in proven strategies for reducing maternal mortality and improving the health of women and their children, the Global MOMS Act would help save many more lives. Now is the time to pass this legislation -- nearly every minute we wait, another woman dies."

Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of women still die every year during pregnancy or childbirth, and millions more are left with life-altering disabilities. In some countries, one in seven women dies in pregnancy or childbirth.

The Global MOMS Act has been endorsed by 17 organizations, including CARE. On May 12th, CARE will host nearly 1,000 of our most dedicated advocates on Capitol Hill, where they will lobby for support and passage of this critical bill.

We don't have to wait for a medical breakthrough to save women's lives. We know how to prevent nearly all maternal deaths: women must have access to life-saving interventions such as skilled care during pregnancy and birth; quality emergency obstetrical care; immediate post-partum care for the mother and newborn; and voluntary family planning education, information and services. We need the financial resources and political will to continue to make progress.

With more than 50 years of experience and success developing and implementing maternal and child health programs, CARE is in a unique position to improve maternal and newborn health at the local, national and global levels. CARE works directly with women and communities, empowering them with services and information while affecting policies to ensure that safe pregnancy and birth are a basic human right.

About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve education, health and economic opportunity. To learn more, visit www.care.org.

SOURCE CARE