LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Kentucky representative has proposed a bill to help protect women who are giving birth.
Representative Attica Scott spoke with a group in Lexington on Saturday about the proposed Maternal Care Access and Reducing Emergencies Act.
This is a pre-filed bill sponsored by Representatives Scott and Rob Wiederstein.
According to the CDC, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world, with an average of 700 women dying every year.
"We have to address maternal health in Kentucky and really looking at black maternal health in the Commonwealth because we want healthy pregnancies," said Scott. "We want healthy moms, and we want healthy babies and sometimes the way that you do that is through policy and advocacy."
If passed, the bill would create a Maternal Fatality Review Team, require healthcare providers undergo implied bias training and provide money for mothers to seek out qualified doulas to help throughout their pregnancies.
The legislative session starts on Tuesday.
