Advancing Access: Senator Becky Massey on Maternal Health Reforms

Our probe into the growing trend of elective labor inductions uncovered that these procedures—frequently prioritized for hospital scheduling over true medical urgency—now comprise almost 40% of births in the U.S., increasing dangers such as higher C-section rates, NICU admissions, and persistent cognitive deficits by halting essential fetal brain maturation in the last stages of gestation.

Highlighting the bill she recently introduced to address such concerns in rural areas, Massey shared, “The purpose of SB 898, which I introduced this past session, is to help pregnant women in rural areas obtain much needed care for their unborn babies. Through remote patient monitoring, mothers can monitor blood pressure, vital signs, and a baby’s heart rate.”

As our investigation detailed, a baby’s brain at 35 weeks weighs just about two-thirds of its full-term size—the concluding phase is crucial, not expendable. Still, these inductions, motivated by institutional streamlining, frequently happen prior to full developmental readiness, sparking preventable issues. This matter calls for heightened scrutiny from legislators, healthcare workers, and citizens to foster reforms that truly center on those affected.

“Currently, many women living in maternity care deserts lack access to the full health care they need for their unborn babies. These services will protect mothers from going into premature labor or in some cases choosing elective induction of labor,” Massey continued. “I will continue to advocate for pregnant mothers throughout Tennessee by advancing legislation that increases access to remote patient monitoring and for related reforms supporting women.”

Senator Massey, a Republican representing District 6 in Knoxville and Knox County, has built her career on community service and health advocacy. A Knoxville native, Massey is married to Morton Massey, with two daughters, Courtney and Kristen, and a granddaughter, Bailey. A graduate of Central High School, Massey earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. Before her 2011 election to the Senate, she served as Executive Director of the Sertoma Center, a non-profit supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, from 1989 to 2011.

This blend of personal and professional insight informs her strong position on our findings. Massey highlighted the systemic barriers, particularly in underserved areas where limited options push toward hasty decisions like elective inductions rather than comprehensive, accessible support.

Massey perceives this as more than an isolated flaw—it’s a widespread barrier in prenatal services. Promoting remote monitoring and equitable access transcends routine checkups—it’s a pathway to empowered pregnancies and healthier generations.

Massey’s legislative efforts affirm this dedication. As a member of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, she introduced SB 898 in 2025, creating a TennCare pilot program for remote patient monitoring to address maternal hypertension and diabetes, aiming to reduce premature labor risks in rural “maternity care deserts.” She co-sponsored SB 1178 to broaden healthcare access, including women’s health, and has supported expansions of TennCare Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women to boost prenatal services. Her work also includes backing maternal mental health initiatives and preventive care measures to tackle Tennessee’s mortality crisis.

Alongside these efforts, Tennessee State Representative Caleb Hemmer has championed proactive maternal education and consent laws, while Senator Heidi Campbell advocates for dignified, family-centered reforms.

As Tennessee strives to elevate its birth results, figures like Sen. Massey illustrate how maternal health can be positioned as both an ethical imperative and a forward-thinking goal. Her 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 highlight leaders like Senator Massey. With her voice leading the way, more families could see real protections put in place.