Resolution Number: 2012-A140
Title: Advocate for Maternal and Infant Health
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention direct the Office of Government Relations to partner with international and domestic efforts to encourage and advocate for legislation, programs, services and advocacy related to improving maternal mental and physical health and infant development; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations and dioceses of The Episcopal Church take action in their own contexts to support and foster maternal and infant health and development, which addresses the mission priority of Alleviating Poverty and Injustice established at the 76th General Convention, and also the Millennium Development Goals; and be it further

Resolved, That healthcare institutions and providers in The Episcopal Church whose ministries are associated with maternal health and infant development be urged to support advocacy and to make themselves available as resources to congregations and dioceses for this work.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), pp. 224-225.

Legislative History

Author: Executive Council: Committee on the Status of Women
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #13 on Resolution A140 (Advocate for Maternal and Infant Health) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution

(A140)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention direct the Office of Government Relations to partner with international and domestic efforts to encourage and advocate for legislation, programs, services and advocacy related to improving maternal health and infant development; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church take action to support and foster maternal and infant health and development, which addresses the mission priority of Alleviating Poverty and Injustice established at the 76th General Convention, in dioceses, across the Church, and throughout the Communion.

Committee Amendment

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention direct the Office of Government Relations to partner with international and domestic efforts to encourage and advocate for legislation, programs, services and advocacy related to improving maternal mental and physical health and infant development; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations and dioceses of The Episcopal Church take action in their own contexts to support and foster maternal and infant health and development, which addresses the mission priority of Alleviating Poverty and Injustice established at the 76th General Convention, and also the Millennium Development Goals; and be it furtherin dioceses, across the Church, and throughout the Communion.

Resolved, That healthcare institutions and providers in The Episcopal Church whose ministries are associated with maternal health and infant development be urged to support advocacy and to make themselves available as resources to congregations and dioceses for this work.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #112)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #11 on HD Message #112 on Resolution A140 (Advocate for Maternal and Infant Health) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message # 168)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 10.

Report Reference:   Executive Council: Committee on the Status of Women, Reports to the 77th General Convention, 2012, pp. 623-632.
Abstract:   The 77th General Convention directs the Church and its insurance providers to take action to advocate and support maternal health and infant development.