Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act

Hozzl · 2024-01-08T20:30:31Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 1606 Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Health. Stay informed on legislative developments.

1/8/2024, 8:30 PM

Summary of Bill S 1606

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, also known as Bill 118 s 1606, is a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at addressing the disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women in the United States. The bill is a package of nine individual bills that seek to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women by addressing various factors that contribute to the disparities in care.

Some of the key provisions of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act include expanding access to maternal health care services, improving data collection and research on maternal health outcomes for Black women, increasing funding for community-based organizations that provide maternal health services, and addressing social determinants of health that impact maternal health outcomes.

The bill also aims to address the high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women by implementing strategies to improve maternal health care quality and safety, increasing access to culturally competent care, and promoting equity in maternal health care delivery. Overall, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act is a comprehensive and ambitious piece of legislation that seeks to address the systemic issues that contribute to the disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women in the United States. By implementing the provisions outlined in the bill, lawmakers hope to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women and reduce the disparities that currently exist in maternal health care.

Congressional Summary of S 1606

Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act

This bill directs multi-agency efforts to improve maternal health with a particular focus on racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must address the social determinants of maternal health (i.e., child care, housing, and other nonmedical factors that affect health outcomes). HHS and other departments must also carry out other actions to increase access to maternal health care and otherwise improve maternal health, such as

growing and diversifying the maternal health workforce;
establishing various grants and other programs, including ones related to maternal health disparities and maternal behavioral health;
testing alternative payment models for perinatal care in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
addressing maternal health during public health emergencies; and
supporting training, technology, and telehealth initiatives.

The bill further provides for

extended postpartum and breastfeeding eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children;
increased research and data collection on maternal health indicators;
activities to mitigate adverse maternal health outcomes associated with climate change; and
expanded public education to improve maternal vaccination rates.

The bill also addresses maternal health for incarcerated populations. For example, it (1) requires the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice to establish programs to improve maternity care; and (2) reduces grants for criminal justice activities unless the recipient state or territory has a law to limit the use of restraints during pregnancy for incarcerated populations.

Read the Full Bill

Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Current Status of Bill S 1606

Bill S 1606 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 15, 2023. Bill S 1606 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on May 15, 2023. Bill S 1606's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of May 15, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1606

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1606

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Potential Impact Areas

Advisory bodiesAir qualityAlaska Natives and HawaiiansCardiovascular and respiratory healthChild healthClimate change and greenhouse gasesCommunity life and organizationCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDetention of personsDrug, alcohol, tobacco useEducation programs fundingEmployee hiringEmployment and training programsEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care coverage and accessHealth care qualityHealth information and medical recordsHealth personnelHealth programs administration and fundingHealth promotion and preventive careHealth technology, devices, suppliesHigher educationImmunology and vaccinationIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntergovernmental relationsInternet, web applications, social mediaLighting, heating, coolingMedicaidMedical educationMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMental healthMinority educationMinority employmentMinority healthNursingNutrition and dietPerformance measurementPoverty and welfare assistanceRacial and ethnic relationsResearch administration and fundingSex and reproductive healthState and local government operationsVeterans' medical careWomen's health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1606

Black Maternal Health Momnibus ActBlack Maternal Health Momnibus ActA bill to end preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States, and for other purposes.

Start holding our government accountable!