Intern Lobby Day: Advocating for the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act

NCJW’s Summer 2025 Government Relations and Advocacy Interns, Talia Holzman and Ma’ayan Stutman-Shaw, spent Monday, July 21st, on Capitol Hill urging members of Congress to support the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Our summer interns held six meetings over the course of an impactful day on the Hill. Talia met with staff from the offices of Representative Wittman and Senators Kaine and Warner. Ma’ayan met with staff from the offices of Representative Amo and Senators Reed and Whitehouse. 

Our country faces a maternal mortality crisis, and with access to health care increasingly under threat, advocating for equitable, comprehensive maternal care has never been more urgent. Today, too many mothers in America die from avoidable, pregnancy-related causes. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with more than 80% of these deaths being preventable. And, Black people are three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications. The recently passed budget that cuts Medicaid will only exacerbate this crisis. This is why we need the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. This package of 13 bills will tackle the medical, non-medical, and social causes that contribute to high rates of maternal mortality. It will help expand nutrition programs for infants, women, and children; boost funding for maternal health research; grow and diversify the maternal care workforce; and much more. 

When Talia and Ma’ayan advocated for the reintroduction and passage of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, they underscored the urgent need to address the crisis of maternal mortality in the United States. Ma’ayan spoke about the Jewish value of lo ta’amod al dam re’echa — do not stand idly by while your neighbor bleeds — explaining that it is a religious obligation to act in the face of others’ suffering. Talia discussed her family and community’s experiences with reproductive healthcare, and the overall Jewish values of kavod ha bri’ot – protecting the dignity of every person. Both Talia and Ma’ayan emphasized the importance of members of Congress staying rooted in their values, because right now is when courageous and compassionate leadership matters most.