The bill, if passed, aims to address maternal health disparities in the United States by convening a task force and providing sustained funding to address social determinants of maternal health. The task force, comprising various government officials and appointed members, would work on strategies to eliminate preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, while the funding would be awarded to eligible entities to address issues such as housing, transportation, nutrition, employment, environmental conditions, and intimate partner violence. The bill also emphasizes reporting and technical assistance for grant recipients and provides definitions for key terms related to maternal health.
Social Determinants for Moms Act
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a task force and a grant program to address social determinants of maternal health. These are nonmedical factors that impact maternal health outcomes, such as transportation, food security, and economic security.
The task force, composed of federal and nonfederal stakeholders, must develop strategies and coordinate efforts to eliminate preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities.
Additionally, HHS must award grants to community-based organizations, nonprofits, tribal organizations, public health departments, or consortia of these entities to address social determinants of maternal health and eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes.
