North Florida Congresswoman Gwen Graham says she’s concerned about the Big Bend’s high infant mortality rate, and believes improving care for low-income Medicaid recipients could help.
Congresswoman Gwen Graham’s proposal wouldn’t use any federal funding. Instead, it requires federal health agencies to collect information on low-income mothers and their babies. That data would be used to create new standards for care.
“I think we need to know are moms getting the prenatal care they need throughout their pregnancy? Are babies getting to their checkups? That’s the kind of data we need to have to make sure we can provide the necessary healthcare to prevent the infant mortality rates," Graham said.
Graham spoke at the Healthy start coalition in Leon County. Leon, Gadsden and Jefferson counties all exceed the state infant mortality rate. The Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act has bipartisan sponsors in the U.S. Senate. Graham says she’s looking for a Republican co-sponsor in the U.S. House.