How the Republican Megabill Impacts Black Maternal Health

On Tuesday, August 5 at 2:00 PM ET, join the Black Maternal Health Federal Policy Collective as we hear from policymakers and advocates about how changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act included in the reconciliation bill will impact Black maternal health.

A panel of experts will discuss the immediate and long-term impact of the recently signed law on patients, communities, and health care practitioners serving in underresourced areas. Panelists will also offer their insight on how state and local advocates can prepare for and fight back against harmful provisions in the reconciliation bill.

Live CART and ASL interpretation will be provided.

Featuring:

• Representative Zakiya Summers, Mississippi state representative, House District 68
• Amani Echols, senior manager of maternal and infant health, National Partnership for Women & Families
• Jamille Fields Allsbrook, assistant professor of law, Howard University; senior fellow, National Partnership for Women and Families
• Dr. Aza Nedhari, executive director and co-founder, Mamatoto Village
• Moderator: Breana Lipscomb, senior advisor of maternal health & rights, Center for Reproductive Rights

Presented by the Black Maternal Health Federal Policy Collective.

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Speaker Bios

Amani Echols leads and supports a broad range of equitable maternal health policy efforts, advocacy activities, technical assistance, and research projects, with a special focus on Black maternal and infant health at the National Partnership. A key aspect of her work on the Health Justice team is bridging cross-movement issues to holistically identify and advance proactive policy solutions that address the barriers faced by childbearing and parenting individuals. Previously, Amani was the Policy and Government Affairs Manager at the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs. She earned her BA and MPH in Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Jamille Fields Allsbrook is an Assistant Professor of Law at Howard University and a Senior Fellow with the National Partnership for Women and Families. Professor Fields Allsbrook served as the inaugural Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) at the United States Department of Health and Human Services, where she directed policy and external affairs. She was also the Director of Women’s Health and Rights at the Center for American Progress, and she has held positions at Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the National Health Law Program, where she was an If/When/How Reproductive Justice Fellow. 

Dr. Aza Nedhari is a visionary leader, architect of change, and relentless advocate for justice. With two decades of experience in grassroots advocacy, reproductive justice, and program innovation, she has dedicated her career to dismantling systemic barriers, improving maternal health outcomes, and advancing justice-centered solutions for Black women and communities. As a mother, Certified Professional Midwife, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Co-founding Executive Director of Mamatoto Village, she has redefined approaches to perinatal health and workforce development. Her expertise in designing scalable, justice-driven interventions has made her a sought-after strategist and thought leader. Dr. Nedhari’s work challenges the status quo, demonstrating that investing in community-driven care models is essential to strengthening families, creating thriving communities, and lasting systemic change. She holds a Doctorate in Human Services with a concentration in Organizational Leadership and Management. Her research focuses on the sustainability and resiliency of Black-led social change organizations. Guided by a bold vision for a liberated future, Dr. Nedhari leverages her expertise to cultivate leadership and create pathways toward healthier families, stronger communities, and a more just society.

Breana Lipscomb is the Senior Advisor of Maternal Health & Rights for the Center for Reproductive Rights. She has more than 20 years of public health experience, with deep expertise in state government and nonprofit management. In her current role, she uses a human rights framework to develop advocacy strategies to advance maternal health equity through state and federal policies. Breana is based in Atlanta, GA and serves as the Board of Directors Co-Chair for the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and is a board member of the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. Breana has been formally recognized by the Georgia State House of Representatives for her maternal health advocacy work and was named the inaugural Kira Johnson Advocate of the Year by March for Moms in 2020.