NJ Maternity Care Receives Funding Boost In 2023 Budget

NEW JERSEY — New funding will be made available to support the health and well-being of mothers, babies and families in New Jersey as part of the state's budget for 2023.

First Lady Tammy Murphy recently hosted a roundtable discussion to highlight the fiscal year 2023 (FY2023) budget investments in maternal and infant health initiatives. The initiative, Nurture NJ, aims to cut maternal mortality in New Jersey by half over five years and eliminate racial disparities in birth outcomes.

Nurture NJ has made significant strides in addressing maternal and infant health care in the state of New Jersey since its inception in 2019. More than $58 million is budgeted for Nurture NJ programs and policies in FY2023.

“These necessary investments will continue to address and combat the shocking numbers our state holds in maternal and infant mortality rates and racial disparities in health care,” said Governor Murphy.

Murphy highlighted some of the investments planned, including $20 million for a maternal and infant health innovation center in Trenton and $17 million to continue universal newborn nurse home visits.

“Given New Jersey has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation exacerbated by unacceptable racial disparities for our mothers and our babies, we feel it is our moral imperative to continue this fight. I am thrilled to see Nurture NJ build upon the significant progress we have already made, better support mothers and babies during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives, and, through innovative policymaking, become the national gold standard for maternal and infant health,” Murphy said.

Murphy unveiled the Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan in January 2021, with the goal of reducing maternal mortality in New Jersey by half over five years and eliminating racial disparities in birth outcomes.

Since its inception, Nurture NJ has seen Governor Murphy sign 43 pieces of maternal and infant health legislation, developed and implemented groundbreaking programs and policies, hosted annual Black Maternal and Infant Health Leadership Summits, and more, establishing New Jersey as a leader in combating the maternal and infant health crisis.

“Expanding access to important resources and services for women and their infants is critical to overcoming the maternal and infant health crisis facing New Jersey,” said Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin. “I am proud that this year’s budget puts New Jersey families first with investments in improving health outcomes for new mothers.”

The significant investments in the FY2023 budget will benefit several of the initiative's priority areas.

Those investments include:

• $20 million to support the development of our Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center
• Over $17 million to continue developing the universal newborn home visitation program
• $15 million to raise Medicaid rates for maternity care providers
• $1 million to provide facilities grants to increase opportunities for midwifery education and training
• Over $2 million to increase case management capacity in our Connecting NJ hubs
• $2 million for a Nurture NJ public awareness campaign
• $600,000 to create a database of maternal feedback on quality of care
• $500,000 to expand the reach of the Colette Lamothe-Galette Community Health Worker Institute
• $100,000 to develop a stillbirth prevention public health campaign

“As a community health worker, I can’t tell you the endless number of stories I hear from mothers as far as needing assistance with prenatal care and postpartum care,” said Kashieka Phillips, community health worker and mother. “With the help of Nurture NJ, we will be able to help spread the word about available doula services and the benefits that come with them.”