Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s latest proposal seeks to overhaul maternal health care in the state, with a focus on supporting women through pregnancy and childbirth, reducing health disparities, and addressing life-threatening complications.
The governor’s announcement on Tuesday came with a personal touch, as he reflected on the impact of maternal health in his own life, and the stories of two women who had endured near-fatal complications after childbirth. Their voices underscored the critical need for more attention and resources in Virginia’s maternal health landscape.
A Personal Story That Echoes Across Virginia
When Jasmine Storrs took the stage, she didn’t just tell her story — she bared it. “I nearly died after childbirth,” she shared, detailing the terrifying moment when she suffered a heart attack days after giving birth. Her experience was a direct result of ignoring warning signs of a heart issue, and her message to others was simple but urgent: “Listen to your body.”
For Storrs, a medical emergency quickly escalated into a life-or-death situation. “Time is muscle,” her doctor told her before performing nine hours of open-heart surgery to save her life. This phrase would become a stark reminder of how serious pregnancy-related complications can be, and how crucial early intervention is.
Her harrowing tale wasn’t just about survival, though. It was about the urgent need for education and awareness for women, particularly after childbirth, when they often feel guilty or hesitant to seek help.
Virginia Senator Emily Jordan, who also shared her own close call with eclampsia, underscored Storrs’ point. After the birth of her third child, Jordan ignored several warning signs of the dangerous condition, only to be left with a near-fatal aftermath. “We have to be empowered to ask the right questions at the right time,” Jordan said, adding that many women, especially mothers, often put their families and other responsibilities ahead of their own well-being.
Both Storrs and Jordan were on hand to support Governor Youngkin’s announcement, which aims to address these challenges head-on.
The Governor’s Investment: A Game-Changer for Maternal Health
With a budget proposal that totals more than $4 million in new investments, Youngkin’s plan is designed to improve Virginia’s maternal health outcomes. The investments will touch on multiple facets of the maternal experience, from pregnancy care to postnatal support.
The governor’s proposal includes:
- $2.5 million for perinatal health hub pilot programs, designed to offer holistic care for pregnant women in underserved areas.
- $1 million to expand the availability of doulas and community health workers in local health districts.
- $500,000 for a statewide public awareness campaign focusing on life-threatening pregnancy complications.
- Additional funding for OB-GYN and psychiatric medical residencies, with the aim of bolstering Virginia’s healthcare workforce.
These investments are part of Youngkin’s broader budget request, which he will present to the state legislature’s finance committees on Wednesday.
But the money is only part of the plan. During the announcement, Youngkin emphasized his emotional connection to this cause, drawing from his mother’s career as an OB-GYN nurse practitioner. He noted that this moment was “a chance to speak for her” and reflect on the importance of maternal health.
In addition to these funds, Youngkin also signed an executive directive instructing the Virginia Health Department to include pregnancy-related data on the state’s Maternal and Child Health Data dashboard, providing transparency and accountability for health outcomes.
A Comprehensive Approach: Building on Previous Efforts
Youngkin’s new investments build on work he has already done in Virginia to address the state’s maternal health challenges. In recent years, the governor has pushed for the expansion of maternal health hubs in Petersburg and signed a bill into law that requires health insurance providers to cover doulas, offering crucial support during pregnancy and childbirth.
These initiatives are crucial, especially in light of recent data that shows the U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, with significant disparities between races and income levels. Virginia, in particular, has seen its own share of these disparities, prompting lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to take action.
The governor’s plan is not without its competition, however. As Youngkin pushes forward with his own proposals, Democrats are preparing their own set of maternal health-related bills, known as the “momnibus” package, which aims to further address health inequities through legislation and targeted budget initiatives. This package, inspired by a summit held earlier this year in Richmond, also seeks to tackle issues like prenatal care access, postnatal support, and reducing maternal mortality rates, especially among Black women.
Looking Toward the Future of Maternal Health in Virginia
With the increasing attention to maternal health, both state leaders and advocates agree that systemic changes are urgently needed. The path ahead is one of collaboration, with lawmakers, healthcare providers, and advocates working to ensure that no woman in Virginia has to face life-threatening complications alone.
As Governor Youngkin gears up for the upcoming legislative session, his proposals signal a turning point in the fight to improve maternal health outcomes. Whether or not these plans will gain the necessary traction in the state legislature remains to be seen. However, what is clear is that the conversation about maternal health in Virginia has entered a new phase — one where real change might finally take root.
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