Dear friend,I hope you are doing well! I have some exciting updates to share with you from my recent trip with the House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, along with legislative updates and housing resources.Mamas First ActEarlier this month, I re-introduced the Mamas First Act with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker. My bill will address the maternal mortality crisis by expanding Medicaid coverage to include doula and midwifery care. The maternal mortality crisis harms millions of women, disproportionately impacting Black mothers and their babies. In Wisconsin, black mothers are dying during childbirth at over five times the rate compared to white mothers, and nationally African American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native mothers are dying at 4-5 times the rate of white mothers. It is crucial that we increase access to culturally competent care for mothers.Doula and midwifery care can greatly benefit the health of mothers and their babies, providing needed care and emotional and physical support. Studies have shown time and again that doula and midwifery care dramatically lowers the chance of a C-section, dangerously high stress levels while giving birth, or giving birth to a low-birthweight baby. Ultimately, my bill is about declaring once and for all that race and/or income should not be a factor in whether someone receives the maternal health care they need. We need to recognize the valuable services doulas and midwives provide by ensuring every mother – no matter their income – has access to these services.My Op-edDuring Black Maternal Health Week, Ms. Magazine published my op-ed in which I explained in my own words why this issue is so personal to me. Read why here.Milwaukee Bus Tour and Field Hearing with Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in GrowthLast week along with Committee Chairman Jim Himes and Ranking Member Bryan Steil, I joined a bus tour and a field hearing in Milwaukee to discuss historic inequities in housing and solutions to these challenges. During our bus tour, we visited neighborhoods in our community to spotlight deindustrialization, racial inequities, botched urban renewal effort, and current work underway to revitalize neighborhoods. We also saw hope in new projects being developed and a sense of pride among residents who care deeply for their neighborhoods. During our field hearing, we discussed pressing challenges and life-changing programs which seek to expand access to affordable housing and homeownership for our most vulnerable residents. As part of our trip, members of the Select Committee also visited Kenosha, at UW-Parkside, where we discussed the importance of education and helping people access the jobs of the future. I had the chance to meet bright, impressive students who were full of ambition and vision.Housing ResourcesWI Emergency Rental Assistance ProgramThe Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) is partnering with members of the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association, as well as Energy Services, Inc., to assist eligible renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and need help with their rent, utilities, and/or other housing stability. To find out where you should apply click here.Eligibility for WI Rental Assistance:Qualifying for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, experienced major costs, or experienced financial struggles due to COVID-19;Demonstrates a risk of being evicted or losing your home; and,Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the county median.Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH):WHH is a new statewide program that can help with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and more. The program is open to individuals and families who live in Wisconsin with overdue housing-related bills, both with and without a mortgage, who meet income and other eligibility requirements, and have experienced a qualified economic hardship since January 21, 2020.   You are eligible if you are a Wisconsin homeowner Who lives in a Single-family home, Duplex, Condo, or Factory-built homeYou have been financially impacted since January 21, 2020.Your household income is at or below 100% of the county median. Check your income by clicking here!How to apply and get more information: Fill out and submit an online application via the Neighborly application portal. Call 1-855-2-HOME-WI to get additional information or find out how to apply in person.For additional information or assistance, please reach out the Milwaukee Social Development Corporation at 414-906-2740.My Office is Here to HelpAs always, I am here to help. If you need help with a federal matter, please don’t hesitate to call my district office at 414-297-1140. Take care!Your friend,Gwen