Nurture New Jersey released a plan in January that calls for reducing maternal mortality by 50% in five years and eliminating racial disparities in outcomes. Murphy’s administration, with assistance from lawmakers, took multiple steps in recent years to expand access to family planning services, prenatal care and birthing options. State officials have also moved to enhance training for providers and make it easier to access maternal health data.
Maternal health advocates — bolstered by Black and brown female legislators who have shared their own, often difficult birth stories — have continued to stress the importance of postpartum care, something they said is missing for roughly 40% of the new moms in this country. More than half the maternal fatalities nationwide occur after the mother gives birth, according to state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), a main sponsor, and two-thirds of these deaths can be prevented.