Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
The Senate advanced a bill this week to create more options for maternal support programs in Iowa. State funding would be earmarked for nonprofit organizations that have "a primary mission of promoting healthy pregnancies and childbirth instead of abortion" (among other criteria).
Passing pro-life legislation and protecting life are important priorities for most Republicans at the Capitol. This legislation provides pregnant women with supportive options in terms of health care and services they need to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and healthy birth.
Under Senate File 2381, the Department of Human Services would create the More Options for Maternal Support (MOMS) program. It is a statewide program to promote healthy pregnancies and childbirth, and personalized support to pregnant women.
The program would provide a number of support services for pregnant women, including nutritional services, housing assistance, adoption education and services, child care assistance, parenting education and support, health tests and screenings, and counseling. It would also include items that help women after childbirth, like cribs, car seats, and diapers.
Additionally, the bill would also extend postpartum coverage for women under Medicaid from 2 months to 12 months. This extension gives more support to women after the birth of their child, as they are adjusting to life as a parent.
SF 2381 invests in women and their babies and helps set them up for success during the very important first years of life. I was glad to support this bill and happy to see it pass the Senate with a vote of 32-16.
Sen. Jeff Taylor, R-Sioux Center, represents O'Brien, Cherokee, Sioux and part of Plymouth counties in Senate District 2.
