Richmond, Virginia – Governor Glenn Youngkin recently reinforced Virginia’s commitment to advancing maternal health care with the announcement of Executive Order 32. This order is a strategic component of the state’s broader objective to uplift prenatal and postnatal care standards across Virginia, ensuring superior health outcomes for both mothers and their newborns.
In a significant move to boost maternal health, Governor Youngkin emphasized the critical need for focused improvements in this area. “Improving health outcomes for mothers and infants is foundational to making Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Governor Youngkin stated. He highlighted the vital role of mothers in family and community dynamics, stressing the importance of collective efforts to enhance their health care. “Mothers play an incomparable role in the lives of their children and families, and it is imperative that we do the necessary, collective work to ensure they are receiving the care they deserve. This begins with knowing where we need to improve, so that we can better maternal health policies throughout the Commonwealth and promote the well-being of women, children, and families.”
The newly issued executive order will lead to the reestablishment of the Task Force on Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures. This group will undertake the critical task of collecting and analyzing data on maternal health, which will serve as the backbone for informed policy-making. The task force will not only focus on the current state of maternal health but will also identify the additional benefits required to safeguard women’s health more effectively.
Moreover, the task force is set to evaluate the quality of maternal care provided and identify barriers that hinder the effective collection and reporting of maternal health data, particularly in underserved areas. This comprehensive analysis will facilitate the development of standardized quality metrics for maternal care.
The insights and recommendations generated by the task force will be vital. They are expected to guide the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly in refining and implementing policies that could significantly improve the maternal health landscape in Virginia. Through this focused and strategic approach, Governor Youngkin’s administration aims to set a benchmark in maternal health care that ensures safety and wellness for mothers and their babies across the Commonwealth.
