Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) led colleagues in writing a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. regarding the suspension of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), leaving states, researchers, and health care providers without access to this vital data.
Last month, Senator Booker and Representative Kelly led colleagues in writing a letter to CDC Acting Director Susan Monarez regarding reports that suggested the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) had stopped operations. The CDC has not responded to the concerns outlined in the March 12, 2025 letter.
“Since our initial correspondence on March 12, 2025, additional troubling developments have come to light that deepen our concerns. According to an April 1, 2025, STAT News report, the CDC has laid off all of its PRAMS staff. The loss of staff and data collection functions is a tremendous setback that will severely undermine our work on understanding and improving maternal health outcomes,” the lawmakers wrote.
The lawmakers requested answers to the following questions, and a response to their questions from their original correspondence last month:
- What was the rationale behind the decision to terminate CDC personnel working on PRAMS?
- Were these terminations part of a broader restructuring effort, and if so, does the CDC intend to preserve its maternal health surveillance capacity amid these changes?
- Were state or local public health agencies given advance notice about the PRAMS staff layoffs?
- Is PRAMS currently collecting data? If so, what department is responsible for that collection? If not, when will it resume?
- Is there a staffing or funding plan in development to ensure PRAMS can resume and continue operations?
- How has funding to state, territorial or local health departments to support PRAMS been affected?
“We have an ongoing maternal health crisis marked by rising mortality rates and barriers to access to quality care. As we stated in our previous letter, the absence of PRAMS jeopardizes the nation’s ability to monitor maternal and infant health trends and inform both broad programs and policies to improve maternal and child health. PRAMS was developed in 1987 and for the last 38 years the program has been the sole source of standardized, population-based data on maternal experiences before, during, and after pregnancy. Therefore, we urge the CDC to ensure the continuity of PRAMS in full immediately. This includes restoring its staffing capacity, resuming data collection and analysis, and reestablishing partnerships with state, territorial and local health departments,” the lawmakers concluded.
The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Yvette Clark (D-NY-09), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), Diane Degette (D-CO-01), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY-07), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03), and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL).
To read the full text of the letter, click here.
In a recent development, Senator Cory Booker has sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressing the service shutdown of the Kennedy Boulevard line in New Jersey. The shutdown, which has caused inconvenience for thousands of commuters, has sparked outrage among residents and local officials.
In his letter, Senator Booker expressed his concerns about the impact of the service shutdown on the community, particularly on low-income and minority residents who rely on public transportation for their daily commute. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all residents have access to reliable and affordable transportation options.
The Kennedy Boulevard line, which serves as a vital link between Jersey City and Bergen County, has been shut down for several weeks due to maintenance issues. This has forced commuters to find alternative routes, leading to longer travel times and increased frustration.
Senator Booker called on Secretary Buttigieg to work with local officials and transportation agencies to expedite the repairs and restore service on the Kennedy Boulevard line as soon as possible. He also urged for increased investment in public transportation infrastructure to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
The service shutdown on the Kennedy Boulevard line highlights the need for improved transportation options in New Jersey, particularly in underserved communities. Senator Booker’s letter serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing public transportation and ensuring that all residents have access to reliable and affordable services.
As the situation continues to unfold, residents and local officials are hopeful that their concerns will be addressed promptly and that service on the Kennedy Boulevard line will be restored without further delay. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
