Empowering Mothers: Rep. Caleb Hemmer on Proactive Maternal Care
State Representative Caleb Hemmer (D-TN), a dedicated advocate for reducing Tennessee's maternal mortality rates through informed consent and proactive maternal health reforms.
Our investigation, “Forced Labor: The Industrialization of Birth,” exposed how elective labor inductions—frequently arranged for hospital convenience instead of medical reasons—now make up nearly 40% of U.S. births, posing risks such as elevated C-section rates, NICU stays, and enduring cognitive challenges by cutting short vital fetal brain growth in pregnancy’s closing stages.
Addressing this report, Hemmer asserted, “Informed consent in labor isn’t just about medical protocol—it’s about empowering mothers with the knowledge they need to protect their health and their babies’ lives.”
As our article detailed, a baby’s brain at 35 weeks weighs just about two-thirds of its full-term size. Yet these inductions, motivated by institutional streamlining, frequently happen prior to full developmental readiness. This matter calls for heightened scrutiny from legislators, healthcare workers, and citizens in Tennessee to foster reforms that truly center on those affected.
“HB0572 is part of a broader push to make maternal care in Tennessee more proactive, equitable, and responsive,” Hemmer continued. “When families leave the hospital, they should leave with more than just discharge papers—they should leave with the tools to recognize danger and act quickly.”
Hemmer, a Democrat representing District 59 in Nashville, has channeled his professional expertise into advancing maternal and family health. Born in 1981, married with two children, and a Christian, he holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. As a healthcare executive focused on affordable, high-quality care, Hemmer previously served as an aide to Governor Phil Bredesen and as an executive in the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development before his election to the House in 2022.
This healthcare and policy background fuels his advocacy on our findings. Hemmer zeroed in on the core disconnects, especially how medical systems sometimes favor operational shortcuts and bottom lines over holistic family safeguards.
Representative Hemmer regards this as beyond a healthcare glitch—it’s a core inequity in obstetric practices. Advocating for informed decisions and ongoing support that extends past delivery—it’s a foundation for thriving households and safer futures.
Hemmer’s legislative accomplishments reinforce this commitment. Motivated by Tennessee’s dire maternal mortality rankings, he sponsored HB0572—enacted in 2025 after consultations with doctors, advocates, and groups like March of Dimes—which mandates hospitals and birthing centers to provide post-birth warning signs information, including symptoms and resources, upon discharge. This simple, low-cost measure aims to equip families against unforeseen complications.
He has also backed bills on maternal mental health, preventive care for pregnant women, and equity in healthcare access, such as co-sponsoring efforts to review maternal health data disparities and expand reproductive health coverage.
Complementing these initiatives, Tennessee State Senator Heidi Campbell has advanced similar reforms in the Senate, emphasizing dignity in maternal care—explore Heidi’s maternal health contributions.
As Tennessee strives to improve its birth results, leaders like Rep. Caleb Hemmer demonstrate how maternal health can be positioned as both an ethical imperative and a forward-thinking goal. His outlook highlights a compelling notion: that amid these hurdles, preserving the innate rhythm of childbirth isn’t merely correct—it’s an astute strategy yielding broad community and financial advantages.
What You Can Do
-Read our initial investigation on elective inductions.
-Share this article to spread his message.
-Contact representatives via congress.gov to support consent laws.
-Follow The Daily Muck on X (@TheDailyMuck) for updates.
At The Daily Muck, we spotlight champions like Rep. Caleb Hemmer whose bold advocacy can forge lasting reforms, empowering Tennessee families with the informed, equitable maternal care they need to thrive.
Discover More Muck
Putting Families First: Senator Heidi Campbell on Reforming Maternal Care
Report John Lynn | Aug 7, 2025
A Wake-Up Call for Maternal Health: Sen. Carri Hicks on Reforming Birth Practices
Report John Lynn | Jul 31, 2025
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