Senators Murkowski and Kim Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Deliver Essential Maternal Supply Kits to New Parents
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced the Newborn Essentials Supply Toolkit (NEST) Act to deliver starter maternity kits to new moms in communities with high rates of infant or maternal mortality. The kits include supplies for both mother and baby such as diapers, wipes, educational materials, and more.
“The time immediately after childbirth is an especially vulnerable time for mothers and their newborns. Evidence supports providing critical supplies during the postpartum period can improve families’ experiences, including reduced anxiety and financial stress,” said Senator Murkowski. “I am pleased to join Senator Kim in introducing legislation to codify this successful program and offer this support to growing families across the country.”
“Those first couple days of my sons’ lives were filled with immense joy but also the very real anxiety and uncertainty every parent faces. The NEST program has been a helping hand to new moms in the precious and daunting first chapter of their kids’ lives. I'm proud to work with Senator Murkowski to codify and continue its success,” said Senator Kim.
The United States has consistently ranked highest for maternal mortality when compared to peer nations; while the infant and maternal mortality rates started leveling off, since 2020 rates have been on the rise again. Mental health conditions and substance use disorder are the leading cause of death among women during the postpartum period, and postpartum deaths account for 63% of maternal deaths in the perinatal period.
The bipartisan NEST Act addresses maternal and infant health disparities by codifying a pilot program at the Department of Health and Human Services that partners with local community organizations and federally qualified health centers to distribute toolkits to expectant mothers in areas of highest need. Every expectant mother in the program will receive a Newborn Essentials Supply Toolkit that includes:
- diapers, wipes, hygiene items, blankets, and thermometers for infants;
- postpartum pads, lotion, cold packs, and breastfeeding supplies for the mother’s postpartum recovery; and
- educational materials, such as information on maternal health resources, hotlines she can call, and information on other programs that may provide support.
The NEST Act is endorsed by: Shades of Blue Project and Save the Children.
"The introduction of the NEST Act is a crucial step forward in ensuring new parents' access to essential resources during one of life's most vulnerable moments,” said Kay Matthews, Founder and Executive Director at the Shades of Blue Project. “As someone who has experienced firsthand the challenges of the perinatal period, I know how transformative it can be when families receive the right support at the right time. I'm grateful to Senators Andy Kim and Lisa Murkowski for their bipartisan leadership on pro-family and cost of living issues—when we invest in moms and babies, we're investing in American communities, especially those who have been historically underserved."
"Save the Children is proud to support the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act and is grateful to Senators Murkowski and Kim for their leadership in improving outcomes for mothers and babies by investing in proven programs that save lives," said Allison Dembeck, Head of Policy at Save the Children U.S. "The NEST Act is a common-sense investment in families that will help ensure parents in rural America have access to critical care, supplies, and supports needed to give their babies a healthy start."
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