Representative Liz Miranda is the State Representative of the 5th Suffolk and is running for State Senate in the 2nd Suffolk. She is a community organizer, former youth worker, and entrepreneur who ran for office in 2018 to center those who have struggled when the government left us out of the conversation. Propelled to act after gun violence took the life of her brother, Representative Miranda has been a tireless fighter for the constituents of the 5th Suffolk, and families across the Commonwealth.
Liz Miranda filed and passed An Act to Reduce Racial Inequities in Maternal Health, which established a special legislative commission to investigate and recommend policy solutions to tackle the public health crisis of racial disparities in maternal health. The commission is predominantly led by Black women who are midwives, doulas, nurses, researchers and community members who have been most impacted by inequities in maternal health outcomes.
“Reproductive justice is racial justice; we cannot do this work in silos. Our response to stark racial inequities in maternal health must start with policy solutions that center and place anti-racism at the forefront. Legislatures were not designed to center Black women—they were designed to exclude us. I am working to change that in Massachusetts.” –Rep. Liz Miranda, April 12th, 2021
As a result of Rep. Miranda’s legislation and advocacy to extend postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and ensure doula care coverage, MassHealth has included both critical tools in their amendment demonstration request to the federal government. This extension of care is critically important in improving maternal health outcomes in communities of color.