Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will award $5.5 million in federal funding to Harris County Public Health (HCPH) to support the health care and social needs of mothers and infants in underserved communities throughout Harris County.  The announcement comes after Congresswoman Fletcher wrote a letter to the Biden administration advocating for this funding to improve community health and address disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. 

“The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of all developed countries,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “I am proud to announce that HCPH will receive $5.5 million in federal funding to address the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis and significant health disparities in our community.  I was glad to advocate for these and to partner with HCPH and Harris County officials to support this important work.  I look forward to continuing to work together to improve maternal health in Harris County.”

“Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is grateful for this significant and critical financial investment to support the expansion of our Maternal and Child Health programming, and this would not have been possible without the support of our elected members of Congress, specifically Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher and the Harris County Commissioners Court.  This is an opportunity to expand our reach and capacity to provide services to populations that have historically been underserved,” said Harris County Public Health Executive Director Barbie L. Robinson. 

“Texas and Harris County have higher rates of maternal and infant deaths across all races, with significant disparities in Black babies and mothers,” continued Executive Director Robinson.  “While disparities exist, HCPH is committed to closing these gaps and improving overall maternal and infant health outcomes by addressing the immediate needs of a family and the social determinants of health as the county’s health strategist.” 

In 2021, Congresswoman Fletcher voted for the American Rescue Plan Act, to help state and local governments provide support for their communities.  In July 2022, the Harris County Commissioners Court voted to dedicate $7.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to establish the Black Maternal & Child Health Program.   

In 2022, Congresswoman Fletcher requested additional funding specifically for the Black Maternal & Child Health Program through the community project funding process in Congress.  She secured the funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, the bipartisan government funding bill that funds essential programs—including the Black Maternal & Child Health Program—for Fiscal Year 2023.  Last year, she held a press conference to highlight the more than $1.4 million in federal funding she secured for HCPH’s Black Maternal & Child Health Program.