Source: Fortune
Summary
The Walton family, heirs to the Walmart fortune, have committed $100 million to the nonprofit Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America (HMHBA) to reduce U.S. maternal mortality rates by half over five years. Olivia Walton, founder of HMHBA, cited personal motivation after noting that childbirth is more dangerous today than in the 1980s. The initiative focuses on early care, extended postpartum support, and addressing disparities, particularly for Black mothers and rural populations. The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, with 669 deaths in 2023, according to the CDC.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Walmart heirs pledge $100 million to maternal health.
Olivia Walton frames the issue as personal and solvable.
Disparities in care persist, especially for Black and rural mothers.
The investment aims to leverage public and private funding to scale solutions.
Author: Evan Null
Maternal Mortality in the U.S.
The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among wealthy nations, with 19 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023. This rate is significantly higher than in other developed countries. For Black women, the rate is more than three times that of white women, at 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. Nearly 90% of maternal deaths are preventable, according to HMHBA.
Maternal mortality is not evenly distributed. Two-thirds of deaths occur within the first year after birth, and 40% of mothers lack follow-up care. Rural areas face additional challenges as hospitals close obstetric units. The cost of poor maternal health outcomes is also high, with $165 billion in economic losses in 2020, according to a Heartland Forward study.
Preventing half of these avoidable outcomes could save $80 billion annually. The cost of a full-term delivery is about $6,400, while an extreme preterm birth can cost $238,000. March of Dimes reports that first-year medical costs for preterm infants are about four times higher than for full-term infants.
Despite the high cost, the U.S. spends more on maternal health than any other country but achieves worse outcomes. HMHBA’s executive director, Robin Reck, called the current state of maternal health “un-American” and “unacceptable.”
The issue is also politically significant, with 86% of voters believing maternal health needs improvement and 79% supporting candidates who champion reforms. HMHBA is backing bipartisan legislation to improve rural obstetric care and fund maternal health research.
About Olivia and Tom Walton’s Philanthropy
Tom Walton, grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton, and his wife Olivia are part of a family with a $440 billion stake in Walmart. The Walton family’s philanthropy is managed through the Walton Family Foundation, which awarded nearly $550 million in grants in 2024. The foundation focuses on education, the environment, and local causes in Northwest Arkansas.
Tom Walton sits on the foundation’s board, while Olivia focuses on the arts and women’s causes. She chairs the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and founded Ingeborg Investments, which supports female startup founders. In 2021, she and Tom helped establish a $1 million fund for LGBTQ+ groups in Arkansas.
The couple’s latest $100 million commitment to HMHBA reflects a broader trend in the Walton family’s philanthropy, which includes supporting causes that align with their values and influence. Their investment in maternal health is part of a larger strategy to address systemic issues and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Olivia’s personal connection to the issue stems from her own experience, as she noted that childbirth is more dangerous today than it was for her mother in the 1980s. This has driven her to advocate for better access to care and more comprehensive support for mothers.
The Walton family’s philanthropy is often seen as a way to shape public policy and address social challenges. Their latest move in maternal health reflects a strategic effort to combine personal conviction with broader societal impact.
A Bipartisan Bet
Olivia and Tom Walton’s $100 million commitment to maternal health is a strategic bet on the issue’s potential to unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents. A national poll found that 86% of voters believe maternal health needs improvement, and 79% would support a candidate who champions reforms. All 15 policy proposals tested in the poll received majority support across party lines.
HMHBA is backing two bipartisan bills to address maternal health. The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, sponsored by Sens. Maggie Hassan, Susan Collins, Katie Britt, and Tina Smith, aims to fund training, equipment, and teleconsultation for rural facilities. The bill cleared the Senate health committee and is awaiting a floor vote.
The second bill, the NIH IMPROVE Act, is led by Sens. Katie Britt and Cory Booker. It would authorize seven years of funding for the National Institutes of Health’s maternal-health research initiative. Both bills reflect a growing consensus on the need for investment in maternal care and infrastructure.
Olivia Walton emphasized that the U.S. should be the safest place in the world to have a baby. She called for urgency and investment to make solutions available to every mother. The bipartisan approach underscores the potential for policy change and the importance of cross-party collaboration in addressing maternal health disparities.
The Walton family’s involvement in this issue highlights the growing role of private philanthropy in shaping public health policy. Their investment not only supports immediate efforts but also signals a long-term commitment to improving maternal outcomes across the country.
