Federal Communications Commission	"FCC  XX-XXX"


STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER ANNA M. GOMEZ

Re: 	Broadband Connectivity and Maternal Health — Implementation of the Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act, GN Docket No. 23-309, Notice of Inquiry (October 19, 2023)

The increase in maternal mortality and morbidity in our nation is a devastating, complex, and multifaceted issue, and I am glad that Congress asked the Commission to do our part.  I congratulate the FCC’s Connect2Health Task Force for acting quickly to incorporate important information about maternal health into the Mapping Broadband Health in America platform.  Thank you for your valuable work.  

Now, comes the peer review and community feedback.  I would like to encourage all local organizations working on the ground to provide healthcare and support to mothers and pregnant individuals to reach out to us.  Especially the organizations providing care in historically underserved communities – the mothers who most bear the brunt of death during pregnancy.  We want to hear from you.  Look at the Mapping Broadband Health in America platform and tell us how the data are useful to your efforts.  Are we missing data?  Do we need to display them differently?  How can we improve the platform to inform your important day-to-day work?  And to local, state, and Tribal policymakers – how can these data inform your broadband deployment decisions?  Can they help you address maternal health and outcomes at home?  We are here to listen, learn, and improve, and we need your feedback.  I wholeheartedly support this item. 




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