Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed two significant bills aimed at enhancing maternal health care in Virginia. The legislation, known as SB 1279 and HB 2573, mandates that all hospitals, licensed birthing centers, and free-standing emergency departments adopt standardized protocols called “safety bundles” to identify obstetric emergencies.
The bills were supported by Senator Emily Jordan and Delegate Cliff Hayes, with initial introduction by Delegate Kim Taylor. Governor Youngkin emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating, “Virginia’s mothers bringing a new life into the world are healthier today, with maternal mortality declining by 50 percent over the past three years. And yet, we still have work to do.” He added that the “Safety Bundle” bills will provide comprehensive care for mothers in Virginia.
The initiative aligns with the Youngkin Administration’s broader strategy under the Healthy Moms, Healthy Families, Healthy Communities program. This effort focuses on improving data collection, expanding high-quality care access, and increasing awareness about maternal health.
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin expressed gratitude for ongoing efforts in maternal healthcare improvement: “Virginia’s women and girls deserve best-in-class care and as mother of four, I am deeply grateful for the work being done by so many.”
Senator Emily Jordan shared her personal experience to highlight the significance of this legislation: “Maternal Health is near and dear to my heart — and that’s how I know just how vital this legislation is.” She acknowledged Governor Youngkin’s leadership in prioritizing maternal health outcomes across Virginia.
Delegate Kim Taylor reiterated her commitment to addressing health challenges faced by mothers in Virginia: “I am proud to see my bill become law… as it reflects my commitment to prioritizing maternal health and uplifting families.”
Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly praised Governor Youngkin’s data-driven approach to reducing maternal mortality rates: “This legislation is yet another step in the right direction to ensure that Virginia is the best place to live, work, and raise a family – which includes making sure moms and babies are healthy.”
Since taking office, Governor Youngkin has implemented several measures to improve maternal mental health. These include launching behavioral health initiatives like Right Help, Right Now; re-establishing task forces on Maternal Health Data; upgrading data dashboards; encouraging educational campaigns such as “Ask About Aspirin”; increasing doula services access; extending postpartum Medicaid coverage; raising payments for medical residencies; funding perinatal health hubs; and increasing obstetric-gynecological service access.
