Two Organizations Dedicated to Improving Women's Health Join Forces

Childbirth Connection Becomes Program of National Partnership for Women & Families

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two powerhouses that have been working for decades to improve the health of women, moms and families announced today that they have joined forces, with Childbirth Connection becoming a core program of the National Partnership for Women & Families. Childbirth Connection was founded in 1918 as the Maternity Center Association; its mission is to improve the quality, value and outcomes of maternity care through consumer engagement and health system transformation. The organization has pioneered strategies to promote safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a powerful voice for childbearing families. The National Partnership is a 41-year old organization that has played a role in winning every major advance for women during the last four decades. Its mission is to improve health for women and families, and make the nation's workplaces more fair and family friendly.

"We are thrilled to be joining forces with Childbirth Connection, and convinced that, together, we will be able to do even more to improve maternal and child health in this country," said Debra L. Ness, president of the National Partnership. "These two organizations have been close allies for years. We look forward to working even more closely in the years ahead to transform our country's health care system in order to improve women's reproductive health, strengthen the quality and outcomes of maternity care, and give all children in the United States the safe and healthy start they deserve."

"Childbirth Connection has been breaking new ground for women's health since 1918, improving the quality and outcomes of maternity care," agreed Maureen Corry, executive director of Childbirth Connection. "We have worked hand-in-hand with the National Partnership to reform our health care system, make care more affordable, improve women's access to high-quality reproductive health and maternity care, help women navigate our health care system, prohibit insurers from considering pregnancy a pre-existing condition, promote public reporting of quality measures, and more. Combining the National Partnership's track record of advocacy for reproductive and women's health with Childbirth Connection's advocacy for high-quality maternity care and maternity care shared decision making will allow us to do even more to improve women's health. We see this as a perfect match and are excited about expanding our collective impact and reach together." 

The National Partnership has strong relationships with policymakers at all levels. Childbirth Connection has deep roots in the clinical and research communities. Both organizations work directly with women and families to advance the goals of better access, better care, and better outcomes.

"This is a time of great opportunity," Ness added. "Our health care delivery system is changing and there is broad awareness among policy makers, health care providers, payers and consumers that improving outcomes for moms and babies must be a priority. Together, we will be more effective in promoting high quality, affordable, accessible health care for women and their families throughout the lifespan."

Next week, the National Partnership will release "Listening to Mothers: The Experiences of Pregnant Women in the Workplace" – an issue brief reporting findings from the Childbirth Connection 2013 survey, Listening to Mothers III: New Mothers Speak Out.  It looks at pregnant women's experiences with discrimination in the workplace – an issue the National Partnership has worked on for decades.

This spring, the organization will issue a new version of "The Rights of Childbearing Women."

The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group dedicated to promoting fairness in the workplace, access to quality health care and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family. More information is available at www.NationalPartnership.org.

SOURCE National Partnership for Women & Families