A new Senate proposal could significantly extend nutritional assistance for low-income mothers after childbirth. The Momnibus Act, introduced in the Senate by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker along with Democratic lawmakers, seeks to tackle the United States’ maternal health crisis.
Momnibus Act Overview
The package includes numerous maternal health initiatives, such as increased funding for maternity care for veterans and a $25 million grant for maternal mental health support. A key part of the proposal aims to widen eligibility for the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Senator Booker highlighted the alarming maternal mortality rates in the U.S., especially among Black mothers, who are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related issues. Most of these deaths are preventable, underscoring the urgent need for focused action.
Changes to WIC Eligibility
Currently, most postpartum women not breastfeeding can access WIC benefits for six months post-birth. The proposed legislation seeks to extend this period to 24 months. Present benefits include:
- $48 cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables
- 64 ounces of fruit or vegetable juice
- 16 quarts of cow’s milk
- 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
- 48 ounces of whole wheat or other whole grain options
- 10 ounces of canned fish
- 1 dozen eggs
- 1 pound of dry legumes or 64 ounces of canned legumes or 18 ounces of peanut butter
Breastfeeding mothers currently receive WIC for a year. The new bill proposes extending support to 24 months, offering:
- $52 cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables
- 64 ounces of fruit or vegetable juice
- 24 quarts of cow’s milk
- 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
- 48 ounces of whole wheat or other whole grain options
- 20 ounces of canned fish
- 2 dozen eggs
- 1 pound of dry legumes or 64 ounces of canned legumes or 18 ounces of peanut butter
Extending benefits would maintain nutritional support, counseling, and services through the first two years of a child’s life. The bill mandates the Health and Human Services Secretary to report on the expansion’s impacts on maternal and infant health outcomes, breastfeeding rates, and the experiences of WIC families after two years.
Infant Formula and WIC
WIC provides crucial support for infant formula when necessary. For families combining formula feeding and breastfeeding:
- Up to 364 reconstituted fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula for the first three months
- Up to 442 reconstituted fluid ounces for four to five months
Exclusive formula feeders receive:
- Up to 806 reconstituted fluid ounces for the first three months
- Up to 884 ounces from four to five months
The program partners with manufacturers and covers specific approved formulas, which vary by state due to unique contracts.
WIC Eligibility Criteria
WIC assists pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children under five. Eligibility requires meeting income limits and a health professional’s or WIC staff’s determination of nutritional risk. Most states permit families with incomes below 185% of the federal poverty level to qualify. Participants in other programs like Medicaid or SNAP often meet these income criteria automatically.
A significant portion of eligible families do not take advantage of this program. The USDA indicates over half of SNAP and Medicaid recipients who qualify for WIC do not participate.
WIC vs. SNAP
WIC and SNAP serve distinct purposes despite both being federal nutrition programs. SNAP offers a broad food budget based on income, whereas WIC provides prioritized foods designed to meet specific nutritional needs. WIC also includes breastfeeding support, nutritional education, and health service referrals.
Many households benefit from both programs concurrently. A USDA report confirms significant overlap between WIC and SNAP participants.
The Momnibus Act features 28 co-sponsors, mostly Democrats, with Independent Bernie Sanders joining. For the bill to pass, Booker must garner Republican support.