Central Louisiana News

June 12, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) introduced the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act today, with co-lead Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), and original cosponsors Congresswomen Marrianette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Nanette Barragan (CA-04). The NEST Act aims to establish a pilot program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to distribute newborn supply kits containing essential goods for new mothers and their infants.

Through public-private partnerships, HHS will collaborate with community-based organizations, hospitals, and other entities serving mothers and infants to distribute these supply kits.

Currently, the cost of raising a baby in the first year is approximately $15,000 on average. This figure is increasing due to inflation. Additionally, nearly one in five women—regardless of age, income, or race—suffer from maternal mental health conditions. Factors such as financial stress and life transitions contribute significantly to maternal health complications.

The program specifications include:

1. Newborn supply kits will contain items like diapers, wipes, hygiene products, blankets, thermometers for newborns, postpartum pads, lotion, cold packs, breastfeeding supplies, blood pressure monitors; information on the maternal mental health hotline; details about postpartum support; and other necessary items as determined by the Secretary.

2. The pilot will distribute supplies across geographically diverse areas in the United States.

3. It will focus on areas of need such as maternal health deserts and rural communities with high maternal mortality rates.

4. Priority will be given to mothers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or those receiving private or public healthcare.

“I believe being a mother is one of life’s greatest blessings but it does not come without its fair share of challenges,” said Rep. Letlow. “It is my goal to make sure any woman who chooses to become a mother receives the information and support necessary to create a nurturing environment for their child.”

“As a pediatrician and a mother,” said Rep. Schrier,“I know the difficulties that mothers of newborns face - physical, mental,and financial struggles are common in the 4th Trimester... That’s why I’m proud...to introduce the NEST Act.”

“Congresswoman Letlow’s leadership...is an important step towards addressing maternal health,” stated E.J.Kuiper,president,and CEO of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.“Programs such as this will undoubtedly save lives.”

Kay Matthews,Ffounder,and Executive Director of Shades of Blue Project added,“This critical legislation will support infant health...when maternal deaths are most likely to occur.” She noted that her organization has seen positive impacts from distributing similar kits independently.

Bruce Lesley,presidentof First Focus Campaign for Children said,“The bill,introduced today by Reps.LetlowandSchrier,...will provide newborn supply kits...Reps.SchrierandLetlowhave truly captured thespiritofChildren’s Weekwiththis bipartisan wayto address our country’s shameful rateofmaternalandinfantmortality.”

Jamie Zahlaway Belsito,Ffounder/Directorof PolicyandPartnershipsfor Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance praisedthebill,sayingit“will help provide critical materials toeverynew family,Mother,andbaby get off toa solid start.Maternalmentalhealth(MMH)conditions like anxiety,OCD,andbipolararethe numberonecomplicationofallpregnancy.MMHandsubstance use disorderarethe leading causeofMaternalMortality…Wearepleasedtoseethatinformationonthenewnationalmaternalmaternalhealthhotlinewillbe includedintheproposednewbornsupplykit.”

Full textofthebill canbefoundHERE.

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