SMFM Statement on Cuts to Federal Research and Agencies

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and its members are deeply concerned about the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on federal research funding and our public health infrastructure.  

Recent cuts to a wide range of key federally funded clinical research, federal agencies, and public health programs negatively impact our patients’ health and will reverberate throughout every corner of our national healthcare system.  

“As high-risk pregnancy specialists, our ability to provide optimal obstetric care and improve health outcomes depends heavily on clinical research and critical public health programs,” said SMFM President Sindhu Srinivas, MD. “The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries and ranks 54th for infant mortality. Cutting research funding and critical public health programs that support perinatal care only serves to worsen this problem.”  

For instance, Medicaid is a critically important public health program covering approximately 40 percent of all births in the U.S. Proposed cuts to the federal Medicaid program would have a devastating impact on health outcomes for our most vulnerable populations. SMFM will continue to join our partners in working to advocate for this critical program. 

As the organization representing maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists, SMFM remains committed to advocating for funding research that impacts obstetric care and maternal health, federal research agencies, and critical public health programs. The commitment to research and science is a core principle of SMFM's mission to provide evidence-based clinical guidance and education that optimizes perinatal care. 

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About SMFM 
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), founded in 1977, is the medical professional society for obstetricians who have additional training in high-risk, complicated pregnancies. SMFM represents more than 7,000 members who care for high-risk pregnant people and provides education, promotes research, and engages in advocacy to reduce disparities and optimize the health of high-risk pregnant people and their families. SMFM and its members are dedicated to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes and assuring medically appropriate treatment options are available to all patients. 

Media Contact:
Greg Phillips
Press@smfm.og