Albany, NY – Today, Members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus hosted a new episode of “Caucus Corner'' for the 2024 legislative session. Caucus Corner is an audio series initiated by members to discuss and analyze major Caucus priorities from its annual People’s Budget with policy experts and community-based organizations from across the state. Additionally, Caucus members are able to increase support for various initiatives and campaigns.

With Caucus Corner, members have the opportunity to talk directly to New Yorkers on the issues that matter most to them. This series creates a forum for media, government officials, and constituents to gather and explore the various affairs before the state. In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, panelists discussed the ways that every New Yorker can advocate for Black mothers throughout the state.

Listen to the program here on Spotify or on Youtube.

The fact that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy related issues than their white counterparts proves that there is a need for this conversation. The bills primarily discussed during the podcast focus on expanding doulas services in New York to ensure community-based doula organizations are getting the funding and staffing they need. Panelists also discussed legislation which would create standards for Maternal Depression Screenings, as well as creating centers for maternal/childcare services in Kings County and Bronx County.

“This is really a central mission to us, when we are talking about the Black Maternal Mortality Crisis that’s impacting our community,” said Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, Michaelle Solages. “From Rochester to Buffalo to Long Island, we have been laser focused on tackling this issue head on this session.”

“In the United States, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from childbirth. but in New York State, it’s five times…. Black women are also nine times more likely in New York City. In Monroe County, a place I represent, the maternal mortality rate is 40% higher than the entire statewide average,” said Senator Samra Brouk. “Bills like the Community Doula Directory ensure more people on Medicaid know where doulas can be found, which doulas are accepting Medicaid and giving them more access to life saving care.”

“We have to continue talking about this crisis and continue making people aware of it,” said Assemblywoman Chantel Jackson. “Implicit bias is a real thing, systemic racism is a real thing, and it’s happening within our medical system… we have to acknowledge this bias and start combating these issues.”

“Upstate in more rural areas, people are still finding themselves not being able to access equitable health care services,” said Commissioner on NYC Commission for Gender Equity/ Founder & CEO of Ancient Song, Chanel Porchia-Albert. “We have birthing centers closing or on the verge of closing, we have midwives who are losing hospital-based privileges… We have hospitals that are closing.As a whole, we really need to focus on what it means to censor black women and birthing people and their experiences. If we say we love black women, we should be supporting and uplifting them during one of the most sacred times in their lives.”