Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

LOUISVILLE, KY – Freestanding birth centers give pregnant moms choices in their care – and the Kentucky Senate voted to support that notion today with passage of Senate Bill 17, sponsored by Senator Shelly Funke Frommeyer.

By removing barriers to establishing freestanding birth centers in Kentucky, pregnant moms with low-risk pregnancies can receive perinatal care safely in a homelike environment as an alternative to hospital delivery. These small health care facilities show results in women having fewer medical interventions and lower cesarean rates than those in hospital settings and being more likely to initiate breastfeeding after birth.

We applaud Senator Funke Frommeyer for championing SB 17 and the bipartisan support today from the Senate. As SB 17 now advances into the House, we are hopeful that with the leadership of Representative Jason Nemes – who has championed this issue for years – it will finally reach the finish line this legislative session.

Stay up-to-date on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids on our Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker.

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About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.