Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 10, 2020 McGonagle, House pass bill to address racial inequities in maternal health O n June 30,State Representative Joseph McGonagle joined House Speaker Robert DeLeo and his colleagues to unanimously pass An Act to reduce racial inequities in maternal health, which mandates creating a special legislative commission to make recommendations that reduce or remove the kind of racial inequities that result in women of color dying of pregnancy-related causes at more than double the rate of white women. The commission would gather information and raise awareness of this systemic societal problem, in addition to reporting on barriers to equitable maternal care and best practices for remedying inequities. “Everett is such a diverse and unique community, and to think that so many of our mothers would be discriminated against in one of the most important times of their lives is truly disturbing,” said McGonagle. “I was proud to be a co-sponsor of this bill, as it advocates for vulnerable mothers and their families performing an incredible I n order to beautify Everett for the summer, Mayor Carlo DeMaria coordinated with the Department of Public Works (DPW) to plant trees throughout the city. All told, the DPW planted 28 trees throughout Everett’s streets and neighborhoods during the month reduce or eliminate racial inequities in maternal health or severe maternal morbidity, including, among other approaches, culturally competent and affordable doula services • Accessibility and affordabilJoseph McGonagle State Representative feat. Thank you to Speaker DeLeo, my colleagues and especially Rep. Liz Miranda for showing the urgency and necessity of this matter.” Under the bill, the 25-member commission will investigate and report on: • Best practices by other states or grassroots organizations to of June. “The Coronavirus has highlighted the need to improve public health disparities in urban communities, such as Everett,” said DeMaria. “In addition, we must do everything that we can to fight climate change, and trees do just that.” ity of birthing centers, maternal medical homes, and doula care, and the diversity and cultural competency of maternal health care providers • Barriers to accessing prenatal and postpartum care • How historical and current structural, institutional and individual forms of racism affect maternal mortality as well as potential solutions, such as bias training in hospital facilities and birthing centers • Available data relating to maternal mortality and morbidity An Act to reduce racial inequities in maternal health now moves to the Senate. City plants trees for summer season The newly planted trees will help absorb rain water, provide shade, filter carbon dioxide, increase property values, improve the quality of life, provide cleaner air, lower energy costs, improve water quality and aid with stormwater control.
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