Health Equity, Maternal Health, Nursing
Towards Equitable Maternal Health: A Policy Analysis of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act — Implications for Nursing Leadership, Implementation, and Equity
Grace K. Kyei, Esther Nana Kwaning, Hannah Durowaa Odei Opoku, Rockson Ansong, Evans F. Kyei
June 8, 2026 at 1:14:25 PM

Abstract
Black women in the United States face disproportionately high maternal mortality and morbidity due to structural racism, socioeconomic inequities, geographic barriers, and fragmented care systems. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act seeks to address these systemic drivers. This paper uses the Health Policy Triangle to evaluate the Momnibus Act's alignment with maternal health equity evidence, identify implementation strengths and challenges, and outline implications for nursing leadership. A qualitative document analysis of legislative texts, policy briefs, stakeholder communications, and peer-reviewed literature was conducted. Materials were coded using open and directed approaches across the four Health Policy Triangle domains. The Act aligns with evidence-based strategies such as community-led models, workforce diversification, mental health integration, and social determinants interventions. Key challenges include fragmented financing, uneven state capacity, multisector coordination demands, and power imbalances that may limit community influence. Nursing leadership is essential for implementation, advocacy, quality improvement, and community partnership.
This policy analysis uses the Health Policy Triangle framework to evaluate the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, mapping its alignment with evidence-based equity strategies (community-led models, workforce diversification, mental-health integration, social-determinants interventions). The authors highlight implementation challenges — fragmented financing, uneven state capacity, multisector coordination demands, and power imbalances that can limit community influence — and argue nursing leadership is essential to advocacy, quality improvement, and community partnership for equitable outcomes.
