NJ Nurses Will Visit Newborns At Home To Fight Baby Mortality Gap

NEW JERSEY — For Sen. Teresa Ruiz, the light bulb moment came when she got a home visit from a lactation nurse after giving birth to her daughter.

“The time spent with her changed my whole outlook,” recalled Ruiz, who represents New Jersey’s 29th district. “I realized if we could provide a service like this early to new mothers and parents, they would have additional support during what is one of the most challenging periods of parenthood.”

The stakes are high, the senator says. About 52 percent of maternal deaths nationwide occur during the postpartum period, and nearly two-thirds are attributed to preventable causes.

But soon, other New Jersey families will be able to share Ruiz’s life-changing experience thanks to a landmark bill signed into law Thursday. And advocates say it may help to fight a startling, “shameful” baby mortality gap in the state.

Under the new law, all New Jersey parents will have access to at least one cost-free home visit from a registered nurse for each newborn child. The visit will include a weight and health check, breastfeeding support, an assessment of the “physical wellness” of the parent, and assistance identifying and coping with perinatal mood disorders.

Families in need of social services such as food aid, transportation access and employment will also get help with those issues, officials said.

The law also applies to adoptive and resource parents, as well as families who experience stillbirths. It’s all completely voluntary; no family has to participate.

The legislation appropriates $2.75 million to the state Department of Children and Families to help pay for the program. Health insurers will be required to cover these services and waive cost-sharing requirements and co-pays.

Oregon is the only other state in the nation to provide a universal home visiting program for the families of newborns, said Ruiz, one of the bills’ primary sponsors.

Other sponsors include Sen. Joseph Vitale and Assemblymembers Shanique Speight, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and John Armato.

Speight, who also represents the 29th district, issued a joint statement about the new law with Huttle and Armato:

“Being a new mother can be a challenging experience for women as they recover from childbirth and deal with many changes in their lives. It is not uncommon for mothers or their infants to experience physical or mental health issues in the weeks and months following their child’s birth, which is why follow-up appointments with health care providers are so important. Enacting a statewide home nurse visitation program will ensure New Jersey mothers receive invaluable postpartum care and advice during this critical period of time, which will ultimately help ensure the health and well-being of families throughout our state.”

“Children don't come with an instruction manual,” said New Jersey Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer.

“Through the provision of universal home visiting, we can offer education and support, identify potential challenges early and refer out to additional services if needed,” Beyer said.

“Home visiting programs have tremendous benefits for mothers, infants and families,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday after signing the bill into law.

“Research has shown that these programs not only decrease infant and maternal mortality, but also improve mental health, increase child educational attainment, decrease abuse and neglect, and strengthen family success and economic growth,” Murphy said.

“This universal home visiting program is a critical step forward in making our state stronger and fairer for all families, giving them the tools and supports they need for success and resilience, and ensuring New Jersey remains the best place to start and raise a family,” the governor concluded.

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INFANT MORTALITY GAP

The new law is expected to help alleviate a dire infant mortality gap in the Garden State.

The numbers speak for themselves, New Jersey advocates say: Black babies born in the state are three times more likely to die before their first birthdays than white infants. Meanwhile, Black mothers are seven times more likely than white mothers to die from pregnancy-related complications.

Black mothers aren't the only ones who face odds they shouldn't. Hispanic women in New Jersey experience twice the rate of infant mortality compared to white women, experts say.

• See related article: March In Newark Raises Awareness About Black Infant Deaths
• See related article: Doulas Hired In New Jersey To Fight Baby Mortality Gap

Ironically, New Jersey is doing very well when it comes to its overall infant mortality rate, which is the fifth-lowest in the nation. But this seemingly low rate can be misleading if not probed further, officials recently said.

“Currently, New Jersey is ranked 47th in the nation for maternal deaths and has one of the widest racial disparities for both maternal and infant mortality,” New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy said in January.

“This disturbing reality is a result of nothing other than institutional racism,” Murphy added.

• See related article: Here's The Plan To Fix New Jersey's 'Racist' Infant Mortality Gap
• See related article: NJ Doula Speaks: 5 Stigmas Pregnant Black Women Face

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