NC 'Momnibus' bill gains support as lawmakers push to improve Black maternal health

June 10, 2026 - 23:57

Advocates gathered at the General Assembly this week to throw their support behind the "Momnibus" bill, a legislative package designed to close persistent gaps in maternal healthcare and improve outcomes for Black mothers and their babies. The bill, which has gained bipartisan traction, aims to address systemic issues that have led to disproportionately high rates of complications and deaths among Black women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Supporters say the legislation is a necessary step to tackle what they describe as a public health crisis. Data shows Black women in North Carolina are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. The Momnibus bill proposes a range of solutions, including expanding access to doula services, increasing funding for community-based health programs, and improving data collection to better identify at-risk populations.

Lawmakers behind the bill emphasized that the goal is not just to save lives but to ensure equitable care from preconception through postpartum. Several mothers shared personal stories of near-fatal complications, urging legislators to act quickly. The bill now moves to committee, where it will face further debate before a potential vote.