Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico Family Action Movement is proud to announce the introduction of House Bill 578, the Every Mother Matters Act (EMMA), a new piece of legislation aimed at expanding support services for pregnant women in New Mexico. Sponsored by Jennifer Jones, this bill seeks to ensure that women facing unexpected pregnancies have access to critical resources, providing them with the support they need to make informed decisions.
At the heart of HB 578 is the Pregnancy Launch Program, a statewide initiative that connects pregnant women with vital, life-changing resources, including free prenatal care, child care assistance, housing support, addiction recovery services, and counseling. While these resources already exist, the program streamlines access by compiling them into a single, easy-to-navigate system. By doing so, it provides immediate, tangible support to women who might otherwise feel abortion is their only option due to financial hardship or lack of assistance.
The Pregnancy Launch Program also establishes a dedicated hotline where women can receive personalized guidance and direct connections to services that meet their unique needs. Whether a woman is struggling with financial instability, needs help securing housing, or requires medical care, the program ensures she can quickly and easily access the support available to her.
Additionally, under HB 578, healthcare providers would be required to inform women seeking an abortion about the Pregnancy Launch Program. This ensures that every woman is fully aware of the assistance available to her before making an irreversible decision. Participation is entirely voluntary, allowing women to choose whether they want to receive support.
Studies show that 75% of women seeking abortion say they would prefer to parent if their circumstances were different. Many do not know where to turn for support, and the abortion industry has no financial incentive to inform them.
"Too many women feel pressured into abortion because they don't know where to turn for help," said Jodi Hendricks, Executive director of NM FAM. "The Pregnancy Launch Program changes that by ensuring women have access to real, practical support. No woman should have to make a decision out of fear or financial desperation."
A Proven, Support-Based Model
New Mexico has some of the most permissive abortion laws in the country but lacks infrastructure to support women who want to continue their pregnancies. HB 578 does not restrict or ban abortion; it simply expands the choices available to women by making sure they know about existing resources.
This approach has been highly effective in other states. Similar initiatives in Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee have provided vital assistance to thousands of women. In Texas alone, a comparable program helped over 10,000 women in just two years, with many choosing to continue their pregnancies after learning about available support. Arkansas' Every Mom Matters Act implemented a hotline connecting women to immediate financial, medical, and social resources, with thousands opting for assistance in its first year.
Addressing Concerns and Next Steps
Some critics argue that requiring providers to inform women of available resources places a burden on them. However, this brief conversation takes only minutes, and participation in the program remains completely voluntary. HB 578 does not ban, delay, or restrict abortion; it simply ensures that no woman makes a decision without knowing all of her options.
NM FAM urges legislators to pass HB 578 and make New Mexico a leader in pro-woman, support-based policies. This bill offers real solutions for women in crisis and ensures that those who want to continue their pregnancies have the resources they need.
For more information on HB 578 and NM FAM's advocacy efforts, please visit www.nmfam.org or contact Jodi Hendricks at
