Share Your Story and
Influence Change.

Your voice is powerful! Sharing your story can help us show legislators that we’re not talking about numbers, we’re talking about people, parents, children, and our community members. We may use your statement and name to amplify the bills we are hoping get passed during the Virginia General Assembly. We may also use quotes from your statement on our social media. You can follow us on all platforms at @birthincolorrva.

By submitting the form, you are providing us with your consent to use your story; you can choose to allow us to use your name, or remain anonymous. If you have questions, please reach out to us using the contact tab and we will connect you with our Policy Team.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Phone

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Would you like to remain anonymous?

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Stillbirth Tax Credit/Fund

How has the experience of stillbirth impacted you or a loved one? In the context of a proposed Stillbirth Tax Credit/Fund, can you share your perspective on the potential financial assistance it could provide? Specifically, would government assistance for medical or funeral expenses, or support for taking time off to grieve, have been beneficial? Additionally, do you believe a formal/government acknowledgment of stillbirth would aid in the grieving process? Share your insights on why you support the proposed bill.

Virginia Black Maternal Health Week

Have you or a loved one encountered a negative birthing or maternal health experience? Could you elaborate on the challenges faced and your perspectives on the impact of such experiences? How do you believe the establishment of a formal Black Maternal Health Week would contribute to raising awareness specifically about the experiences of black and brown birthing individuals? Share your insights on the potential benefits of such an awareness initiative.

Maternal Mortality Review Team Reform

Have you or a loved one faced the challenges of dealing with death or severe illness during or within a year of giving birth? Could you share your personal experience in navigating these situations? Additionally, why do you believe it is crucial to study and investigate such occurrences in maternal health? From your perspective, how could the active involvement of doulas and other community healthcare workers contribute to studying maternal health and mortality outcomes, and what role do you see them playing in developing effective policy solutions?

Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Team

Have you or a loved one endured the loss of a fetus or a newborn infant, and if so, how has this experience impacted your or their life? In your opinion, is it crucial to investigate and study these specific instances of loss to identify preventive measures? Further, do you believe that community healthcare workers, such as doulas, possess valuable knowledge and expertise in reviewing these types of deaths, and if yes, how do you think they can contribute to such investigations?

Unconscious Bias Bill:

Have you or a loved one encountered racial bias in accessing medical care, particularly in the context of maternal or OBGYN care, whether explicit or implicit/unconscious bias? Can you describe the impact of this experience and how it has influenced your perception of the medical system? If you are a healthcare provider, have you observed bias in the care you provide, and if so, what has that experience been like? From your perspective, why do you believe it is essential for medical professionals working with pregnant and pregnancy-able individuals to undergo mandatory bias training?

Fertility Preservation Bills

Have you or someone you know faced cancer and undergone treatments that may lead to infertility or fertility problems? If so, have you, your loved one, or members of your community had to make challenging decisions, such as tapping into retirement or other savings, or perhaps having no savings at all, which subsequently affected their ability to have the family they desired? Can you elaborate on how this experience has impacted them, you, and your family? From your perspective, would insurance or Medicaid coverage for some or all of the fertility preservation process make the process easier and more feasible?

On a scale of 1-10, how informed do you feel about these key issues?

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

Future Involvement

Are you interested in further advocacy initiatives, events, or training? If so, please share your preferences.

Advocacy Training

Virtual Events

In-Person Events

Feedback: Any additional thoughts or suggestions you'd like to share with us?

Share Your Story and
Influence Change.

Watch the RJ Stories Documentary

Birth in Color

Share Your Story andInfluence Change.

Watch the RJ Stories Documentary

Birth in Color

Share Your Story and
Influence Change.