S.346/H.R.959

BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH MOMNIBUS ACT OF 2021

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 is a package of twelve bills addressing the maternal health crisis the United States currently faces. The legislation advances critically important policies that cover various dimensions of maternal health among Black women, and makes robust investments to ensure quality health care and a myriad of social supports pregnant and postpartum women desperately need.

S.851/H.R.943

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS FOR MOMS ACT

This bill directs various federal departments to address social determinants of maternal health. These are nonclinical factors, such as economic or social factors, that impact maternal health outcomes. HHS must convene a task force to coordinate federal efforts on social determinants of maternal health. HUD must award grants to community-based organizations and government entities to assist pregnant and postpartum individuals with affordable housing. DOT must report on transportation barriers that prevent pregnant and postpartum individuals from accessing health care and other services. The bill extends to twenty-four months the postpartum eligibility period for the SNAP and WIC.

S.484/H.R.909

MOMS MATTER ACT

This bill establishes two grant programs to address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, with a focus on racial and ethnic minority groups. First, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must award grants for maternal behavioral health services. Eligible grantees include state, tribal, and local governments; health care providers; and organizations that serve pregnant and postpartum individuals. Second, the Department of Health and Human Services may award grants to grow and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral health workforce by establishing or expanding schools and training programs.

S.1042/H.R.1212

Kira Johnson Act

This bill establishes grants to improve maternal health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services must award grants for community-based programs to improve maternal health outcomes for Black pregnant and postpartum individuals, as well as individuals in other underserved groups; training for health care providers and others who work in maternity care settings on reducing and preventing racism, bias, and discrimination; and respectful maternity care compliance programs in specified health care facilities.

S.796/H.R.958

Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement the maternity care coordination program. The VA must provide community maternity care providers (that is, non-VA maternity care providers) with training and support with respect to the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum veterans, particularly regarding mental and behavioral health conditions in relation to the service of the veterans in the Armed Forces. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among pregnant and postpartum veterans, with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes for veterans.

S.287/H.R.945

Perinatal Workforce Act of 2021

This bill establishes grants for eligible education programs to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce with respect to nurses, physician assistants, and other specified health workers, and otherwise addresses issues related to the maternal health workforce and care delivery models. The Department of Health and Human Services must disseminate guidance on respectful maternal care delivery that covers, among other topics, recruiting and retaining maternity care providers from diverse backgrounds and incorporating trained midwives, and other perinatal workers in maternity care teams.

Investments found in BBB reflect the Perinatal Workforce Act of 2021.

S.347/H.R.92

Data to Save Moms Act

This bill expands data collection and research on maternal morbidity and mortality among minority populations. Specifically, the bill adds requirements to a program within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that supports maternal mortality review committees. To the extent practicable, the committees must use the most up-to-date indicators of severe maternal morbidity; review deaths caused by suicide, overdose, or other behavioral health conditions attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth; and consult with representatives of communities about nonclinical factors that may contribute to adverse maternal outcomes.

S.341/H.R.948

Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act

This bill provides funding to promote exemplary care for pregnant and postpartum people who are incarcerated. The bill also commissions a comprehensive study to understand the scope of the maternal health crisis among incarcerated people and to make recommendations to prevent maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in American prisons and jails. Finally, the bill ties federal funding for state and local prisons and jails to prohibitions on the use of restraints for incarcerated pregnant people to end the practice of shackling.

S.893/H.R.937

Tech to Save Moms Act

This bill supports the use of technology to improve, and address disparities in, maternal health outcomes. Specifically, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation may test telehealth models to screen and treat common pregnancy-related complications for Medicaid enrollees. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must award grants to evaluate and expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning models by entities that provide services to pregnant and postpartum individuals in medically underserved areas or from certain populations, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes by increasing access to digital tools.

S.334/H.R.950

IMPACT to Save Moms Act

This bill requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish the Perinatal Care Alternative Payment Model Demonstration Project to allow states to test payment models for maternity care, including postpartum care, under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

S.4769/H.R.8027

Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act of 2020

This bill addresses maternal health during the COVID-19 emergency by supporting data collection, development of COVID-19 therapeutics and workplace protections, and other activities. Specifically, HHS must issue guidance for states and local health departments on collecting data on pregnancy and postpartum status in conjunction with COVID-19 tests. In addition, the bill provides funds for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand particular maternal health surveillance programs. In addition, the Department of Labor must implement an emergency temporary standard to protect employees from workplace exposures to the virus that causes COVID-19 that specifically addresses pregnant and postpartum individuals.

Note: The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act was not introduced as a standalone bill in the 117th Congress, but is included in the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. The bill linked above reflects the version introduced in the 116th Congress.

S.423/H.R.957

Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act

This bill establishes grants and directs other activities to address health risks associated with climate change, particularly for members of racial and ethnic minority groups, pregnant or postpartum individuals, and children younger than age three. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services must establish a program to award grants to partnerships of community-based organizations and other entities to identify and address climate-change-related risks to these individuals at a county level. In addition, the NIH must establish the Consortium on Birth and Climate Change Research. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must also develop a strategy to identify areas where there is a high risk of adverse maternal and infant health outcomes due to climate change.

S.345/H.R.951

Maternal Vaccinations Act

This bill establishes a national campaign to raise awareness and increase rates of maternal vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must consult with various stakeholders to carry out this campaign. In addition, the CDC must focus on increasing vaccination rates among communities with historically high rates of unvaccinated individuals. The CDC must also make publicly available any materials and resources developed for the campaign.