Social Determinants for Moms Act

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.

Bill 118 hr 3322, also known as the Social Determinants for Moms Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to address the social determinants of health that impact maternal health outcomes in the United States.

The bill focuses on providing support and resources to pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities who may face additional barriers to accessing quality healthcare. It aims to address factors such as housing instability, food insecurity, and lack of access to transportation that can negatively impact maternal health.

Specifically, the Social Determinants for Moms Act proposes the creation of a grant program to fund initiatives that address these social determinants of health. These initiatives may include providing affordable housing options for pregnant individuals, increasing access to nutritious food, and improving transportation options for prenatal and postpartum care appointments. Additionally, the bill calls for increased data collection and research on the social determinants of maternal health in order to better understand the root causes of disparities in maternal health outcomes. This information will be used to inform future policy decisions and interventions aimed at improving maternal health for all individuals. Overall, the Social Determinants for Moms Act seeks to address the systemic issues that contribute to poor maternal health outcomes in the United States and provide support to pregnant and postpartum individuals in need. It represents a step towards creating a more equitable and accessible healthcare system for all individuals, regardless of their social or economic background.