The following is a statement by Ken Taylor, executive director of Kids Forward, on the Governor’s Healthy Women, Healthy Babies” initiative:

Today, Governor Evers announced that his state budget will include investments in programs that support women’s health and address infant mortality. Notably, Governor Evers announced his initiative will focus on addressing significant racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

We agree with Governor Evers that healthy communities start with healthy mothers and healthy babies. We’re encouraged to see that this initiative invests in creation of an Infant Mortality Prevention Program. Wisconsin’s levels of racial disparity between Black and white mothers’ and infants’ health outcomes is shameful and unacceptable. We’re very pleased Governor Evers is demonstrating a willingness to confront this issue.

The governor’s initiative also includes extending post-partum care for mothers through the Children’s Health Insurance Program for up to one year, increasing funding for the Family Foundations Home visiting program, and boosting funding for the state’s minority health grant.

Extending health insurance coverage for mothers will help maintain continuity of care and help ensure women and babies are receiving the health care services they need. Home visiting is proven to help kids and families in their home environments. Studies have shown that home visiting can help reduce drug misuse, child abuse, and neglect, as well as improve birth outcomes, school readiness, and child health. The state’s minority health grant funds community-based projects aimed at decreasing health disparities for communities of color, and increasing their budget will allow the program to fund more innovative projects throughout the state.

Thank you to Governor Evers for making investments that will prioritize and improve the health of all women and infants, and especially for his efforts focusing on women and children of color.