@HMHBAmerica

Let's cut maternal death in half in five years

Joined May 2026
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  • Followers26
41Media
Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) isn’t just excited about what HMHBA’s $10 million investment into Kentucky's maternal health will do. He sees it as a model for how nonprofits can come alongside government and help improve the services government is already supposed to provide.
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86 labor and delivery units closed in just over two years. Moms are getting ghosted by maternity care, and we're not accepting it.
The image is a poster with a purple background. It features text stating: "Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America" at the top. In the center, bold text reads: "Maternity care is ghosting American moms." Below, it says: "Labor and delivery units are disappearing across America." A graphic of a ghost is also included. At the bottom, it asks: "So where do moms give birth?

ALT The image is a poster with a purple background. It features text stating: "Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America" at the top. In the center, bold text reads: "Maternity care is ghosting American moms." Below, it says: "Labor and delivery units are disappearing across America." A graphic of a ghost is also included. At the bottom, it asks: "So where do moms give birth?

The image has a bold, large "96" in green, with text stating "labor & delivery units closed between January 2024 and May 2026." Below is a highlighted box saying "Nowhere to go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S. 2026 Report." Smaller text in the box asks, "Do you live in a maternity care desert?" Below, pink and green text states that "in nearly 60% of cases, it was the only place in town to give birth." The source is "March of Dimes, 2026 Maternity Care Deserts Report." The background is purple.

ALT The image has a bold, large "96" in green, with text stating "labor & delivery units closed between January 2024 and May 2026." Below is a highlighted box saying "Nowhere to go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S. 2026 Report." Smaller text in the box asks, "Do you live in a maternity care desert?" Below, pink and green text states that "in nearly 60% of cases, it was the only place in town to give birth." The source is "March of Dimes, 2026 Maternity Care Deserts Report." The background is purple.

A graphic with the text "1 in 3 has no maternity care. That means no birthing facility or obstetric clinician. 149,000 babies were born in these counties in 2024." The image includes a stylized map of the United States with a heart symbol. Source mentioned: March of Dimes, 2026 Maternity Care Deserts Report.

ALT A graphic with the text "1 in 3 has no maternity care. That means no birthing facility or obstetric clinician. 149,000 babies were born in these counties in 2024." The image includes a stylized map of the United States with a heart symbol. Source mentioned: March of Dimes, 2026 Maternity Care Deserts Report.

A quote from Dr. Neel Shah on a purple background discussing the decline in hospitals delivering babies in the U.S. from 1982 to 10 years ago. Below the quote, there is an inset image of Dr. Neel Shah speaking, with a caption displaying his name and role as President of MIMHBA. A "TODAY" logo is at the bottom, credited as the source from 2026.

ALT A quote from Dr. Neel Shah on a purple background discussing the decline in hospitals delivering babies in the U.S. from 1982 to 10 years ago. Below the quote, there is an inset image of Dr. Neel Shah speaking, with a caption displaying his name and role as President of MIMHBA. A "TODAY" logo is at the bottom, credited as the source from 2026.

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Today, President Trump and the First Lady added women’s health on the White House’s agenda. The Executive Order elevates women’s health research at NIH, creates a White House Women’s Health Task Force, and names maternal health as a priority. We are grateful. Women’s health research has been underfunded for decades, so this matters. Now, let’s make sure it delivers for every mom. America should be the safest place in the world to have a baby. Instead, we lose three to four times as many moms as other wealthy countries. Hospitals are closing labor and delivery units at accelerating rates, particularly in rural areas. And, women across the country are struggling to access the prenatal and postpartum care they need. Our ask of the new Task Force: look at a woman’s health across her whole life, and start with a workforce that already covers it – Midwives. Midwives are one of the most underused resources in American health care, and they’re ready today. 🟣 Midwives care for women for a lifetime. They provide gynecologic and primary care from the teen years through menopause, and they can prescribe in all 50 states. 🟣 Midwives can bring care back to rural America. More than a third of U.S. counties have no birthing hospital, no birth center and no obstetric provider. We’re on track to be nearly 8,000 OB-GYNs short by 2037. 🟣 Midwives can reduce costs. Births with midwives have lower preterm rates and cesarean rates, reducing costs and improving the health of moms and babies. 🟣 Our peers already figured this out. Other wealthy nations average about 50 midwives for every 1,000 births. The U.S. has 3.9. Not 39. Three point nine! Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America and Aaru asked 25,000 respondents nationally and in 10 states, what they thought about midwives. Turns out, the public is supportive: ✅ 73% support making midwife care easier to get under state law. ✅ 73% support letting midwives care for healthy pregnancies without doctor supervision. ✅ 75% support state funding to train more midwives, especially in rural areas. ✅ 68% support equal pay rates from Medicaid and private insurance. Support grows when people learn the facts. Once respondents heard that midwives are licensed, board-certified and work alongside OB-GYNs, comfort with a midwife as the main birth provider rose from 51% to 64%. Among parents, 92% or more view midwives favorably. None of this needs a new federal program. We’re asking the Task Force to do three things: 1️⃣ Map the full range of care midwives can provide, from puberty to pregnancy, the year after birth, and menopause. 2️⃣ Cut the red tape that keeps midwives from practicing to the full extent of their training. 3️⃣ Make clear that states can cover midwifery care through Medicaid. This isn’t a red issue or a blue issue. Let’s make America the best place in the world to be a mom.
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What if the places doing better than expected could teach us how to improve maternal health everywhere? The new Maternal Resiliency Index looks at where moms and babies are thriving relative to the conditions around them, including poverty. Find what’s working. Learn why. Do more of it. Learn what’s happening in your state: bit.ly/3TJsK58.
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Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America retweeted
Clinton Foundation
@ClintonFdnOct 15
NEW: The Clinton Policy Institute’s Maternal Health State Playbook offers states a roadmap to address the U.S. maternal health crisis. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, yet the U.S. maternal mortality rate remains more than twice that of most other high-income countries. The playbook outlines proven strategies to expand access to care, address disparities and save lives. Learn more: clintonfoundation.org/clinto…
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Only 27% of rural Oklahoma hospitals offer labor and delivery. One Panhandle hospital, which hasn’t delivered a baby since 2015, is working to change that. Every mom deserves safe care close to home. Read the full article here: bit.ly/3VHharQ
A poster features text stating: "A rural Oklahoma hospital is bringing back maternity care. Can it survive healthcare cuts?" The background is purple with green text, and there is a silhouette of Oklahoma with a location pin. The poster includes the logo for Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America.

ALT A poster features text stating: "A rural Oklahoma hospital is bringing back maternity care. Can it survive healthcare cuts?" The background is purple with green text, and there is a silhouette of Oklahoma with a location pin. The poster includes the logo for Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America.

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Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America retweeted
FORTUNE
@FortuneMagazineOct 13
“Take better care of moms, not because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s usually the smart thing to do for your business," Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America Founder Olivia Walton told #FortuneMPW. bit.ly/4hWasFP
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Governor @SarahHuckabee Sanders said it best. In Arkansas, HMHBA is backing up that reality with a $10M investment to expand proven maternal health solutions and strengthen support for moms through pregnancy and after birth. 💜
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Maternal health impacts all of us. When mothers can’t access the care they need, families and communities feel the consequences. With 87% of pregnancy-related deaths being preventable, we have an opportunity to change the future. Investing in the health of America’s mothers means investing in America’s future.
The image is a poster featuring bold text stating, "American Prosperity Starts with Maternal Health." Below, it reads, "Today's Moms Shape Tomorrow's Future." In the top left corner, the logo and name "Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America" are displayed. The background is mostly white with purple and green elements.

ALT The image is a poster featuring bold text stating, "American Prosperity Starts with Maternal Health." Below, it reads, "Today's Moms Shape Tomorrow's Future." In the top left corner, the logo and name "Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America" are displayed. The background is mostly white with purple and green elements.

The image features a purple background with white and green text. The text reads: "Every future worker starts somewhere. Before they become a teacher, nurse, engineer, entrepreneur, or leader, they are a baby. And every baby's future depends on maternal health." There are silhouettes of a baby and four growing figures, each progressively taller, symbolizing different stages of life. A stroller is visible on the left side of the image.

ALT The image features a purple background with white and green text. The text reads: "Every future worker starts somewhere. Before they become a teacher, nurse, engineer, entrepreneur, or leader, they are a baby. And every baby's future depends on maternal health." There are silhouettes of a baby and four growing figures, each progressively taller, symbolizing different stages of life. A stroller is visible on the left side of the image.

A silhouette of a person holding up a baby against a purple background. The bold green text reads, "Maternal Health is Family Health." Below, smaller white text discusses the importance of healthy pregnancy and postpartum periods.

ALT A silhouette of a person holding up a baby against a purple background. The bold green text reads, "Maternal Health is Family Health." Below, smaller white text discusses the importance of healthy pregnancy and postpartum periods.

A poster with a deep blue background featuring large text in green and white: "And Family Health is Economic Health." Below in smaller text: "When mothers can access the care they need, families are better positioned to stay healthy, work, and thrive." A separate section reads: "Healthy Moms. Healthy Babies. A Stronger America." At the bottom left, "4/4" is displayed. Two simplified human figures icons are depicted, one nurturing small plants, emphasizing growth and care.

ALT A poster with a deep blue background featuring large text in green and white: "And Family Health is Economic Health." Below in smaller text: "When mothers can access the care they need, families are better positioned to stay healthy, work, and thrive." A separate section reads: "Healthy Moms. Healthy Babies. A Stronger America." At the bottom left, "4/4" is displayed. Two simplified human figures icons are depicted, one nurturing small plants, emphasizing growth and care.

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Moms in Arkansas and Kentucky just got an upgrade! HMHBA is investing $10M in each state to expand maternal care over the next 5 years. Follow along. We’re just getting started.
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Our $10 million investment in Kentucky over the next five years will help expand maternal care in rural communities and connect more women to timely prenatal and postpartum clinicians through telehealth-enabled maternal care teams. This is part of our first state-level investments toward our goal of cutting the U.S. maternal death rate in half in five years. Because every mom should have access to the care she needs, no matter where she lives. Learn more about the grant: bit.ly/3TXF2a2 @GovAndyBeshear
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We’re investing $10 million in Arkansas over the next five years to expand access to maternal care and support more moms across the state. The investment will help bring care closer to moms in rural communities, strengthen maternal health data and quality improvement, expand home visiting, and increase postpartum and mental health support. This is part of our first state-level investments toward our goal of cutting the U.S. maternal death rate in half in five years. @SarahHuckabee
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Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America retweeted
Axios
@axiosOct 5
$100 million Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America announces grants to Arkansas, Kentucky axios.com/2026/10/05/100-mil…

$100 million Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America announces grants to Arkansas, Kentucky

Olivia Walton says maternal health is a solvable problem, with state governments "in the driver's seat."

axios.com
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Maternal health is about more than pregnancy and childbirth. It’s about families, communities, and the next generation. Too many mothers face preventable risks and barriers to care. Changing that takes cross-sector action and lasting solutions. HMHBA is bringing people together to make maternal health a national priority and cut the U.S. maternal mortality rate in half in five years. Join the momtourage: hmhba.org/#join
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Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America retweeted
Governor Andy Beshear
@GovAndyBeshearOct 2
It is unacceptable that the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. With a $10 million grant from @HMHBAmerica, Kentucky is going to lead the way in delivering solutions that bring change and better care to mothers and babies.
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Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America retweeted
Heartland Forward@HeartlandFwdOct 1
At the Heartland Summit 2026, Governor of Arkansas @SarahHuckabee joined Olivia Walton to talk about Arkansas’s commitment to improving outcomes for moms and babies across the state, with @HMHBAmerica announcing a $10M state investment to expand proven approaches to maternal care
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Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America retweeted
Heartland Forward@HeartlandFwdOct 1
Onstage at Heartland Summit 2026, Governor of Kentucky @AndyBeshearKY joined Olivia Walton to talk about Kentucky’s work to improve care for moms and babies across the Commonwealth, with @HMHBAmerica announcing a $10M state investment to expand proven approaches to maternal care.
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Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America retweeted
Heartland Forward@HeartlandFwdOct 1
On stage, Olivia Walton and Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America announced $20 million in catalytic funding for maternal health initiatives in Arkansas and Kentucky, its first state-level investments toward a goal of cutting the U.S. maternal death rate in half in five years.
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Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America retweeted
Governor Andy Beshear
@GovAndyBeshearOct 1
Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined Olivia Walton, founder of Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America (HMHBA), at the Heartland Summit to celebrate the commonwealth being awarded $10 million to support maternal care. Read more: tinyurl.com/ckrba2zn
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Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America is committing $20 million in state grants to Arkansas and Kentucky, at approximately $10 million each, over the next five years. These investments will go towards improving maternal health in two states with some of the worst outcomes. The funding will support state-led efforts to expand access to maternity care, strengthen maternal health data and quality improvement, increase access to home visiting services during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and expand postpartum care and support, including mental health services. By building on what’s already working, we aim to help states implement, evaluate, and scale sustainable models of care that can be replicated across the country. Read the full release: bit.ly/3TXF2a2 @SarahHuckabee @GovAndyBeshear
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