Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act
Latest action (15 May 2023): Introduced
What this bill does
The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act would authorize federal funding to strengthen data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health during public health emergencies. It would provide $100 million to a CDC surveillance program tracking risks to mothers and babies, $30 million to expand maternal mortality review efforts, $45 million to update a CDC pregnancy risk survey, and $15 million to a federal child health research institute. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly release demographic data on maternal and infant health outcomes during emergencies, issue guidance to states on collecting such data, and run public education campaigns on maternal health risks.
The bill would primarily affect pregnant and postpartum individuals, especially those in racial and ethnic minority, Tribal, and underserved communities, as well as state, local, and Tribal public health agencies, health care providers, midwives, and doulas. It also establishes a federal task force—including government officials, public health experts, patients, and community representatives—to develop recommendations on respectful, equitable maternity care during emergencies, covering topics such as telehealth access, mental health, substance use, and hospital capacity.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 15, 2023, by Senator Elizabeth Warren and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It has not received a committee vote or further action and would need to pass both chambers and be signed into law to take effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act
This bill addresses data collection, public education, workplace safety, and other matters related to maternal health during public health emergencies.
Specifically, the bill supports (1) various programs and initiatives carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collect data about maternal health, including racial, ethnic, and other demographic data; and (2) research activities of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Additionally, the CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must make publicly available and periodically update pregnancy and postpartum data that is collected through federal surveillance systems during public health emergencies. The data must be disaggregated by factors such as race, ethnicity, insurance status, and location.
Further, the CDC must carry out a program to educate pregnant individuals, their employers, and their health care providers about maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.
The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a task force to develop recommendations on the provision of maternity care during public health emergencies with a particular focus on communities of color and rural populations.
Common questions
- What does S. 1605 do?
- The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act would authorize federal funding to strengthen data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health during public health emergencies. It would provide $100 million to a CDC surveillance program tracking risks to mothers and babies, $30 million to expand maternal mortality review efforts, $45 million to update a CDC pregnancy risk survey, and $15 million to a federal child health research institute. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly release demographic data on maternal and infant health outcomes during emergencies, issue guidance to states on collecting such data, and run public education campaigns on maternal health risks. The bill would primarily affect pregnant and postpartum individuals, especially those in racial and ethnic minority, Tribal, and underserved communities, as well as state, local, and Tribal public health agencies, health care providers, midwives, and doulas. It also establishes a federal task force—including government officials, public health experts, patients, and community representatives—to develop recommendations on respectful, equitable maternity care during emergencies, covering topics such as telehealth access, mental health, substance use, and hospital capacity. The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 15, 2023, by Senator Elizabeth Warren and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It has not received a committee vote or further action and would need to pass both chambers and be signed into law to take effect.
- Has S. 1605 become law?
- Not yet. As of 15 May 2023, S. 1605 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 1605?
- S. 1605 was sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren [D-MA] (Democrat-MA), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1605?
- Introduced (15 May 2023).
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