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To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to furnish tailored information to expecting mothers, and for other purposes.
1/24/2025, 9:21 AM
Summary of Bill HR 688
Specifically, the legislation mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services develop and distribute information that is relevant to each individual's specific needs and circumstances. This information may include guidance on prenatal care, nutrition, exercise, and other important aspects of pregnancy.
The bill also includes provisions for the dissemination of information on available resources and support services for expecting mothers. This is intended to help pregnant women access the necessary care and assistance to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Overall, Bill 119 HR 688 aims to improve the health outcomes of expecting mothers by providing them with personalized information and support. By ensuring that pregnant women have access to tailored guidance and resources, the legislation seeks to promote the well-being of both mothers and their babies.
Congressional Summary of HR 688
Standing with Moms Act
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disseminate information about pregnancy-related resources, including information about abortion risks and alternatives.
Specifically, HHS must create a public website called life.gov that lists such resources that are available through federal, state, and local governments and private entities.
Additionally, HHS must create on its existing website a portal that provides a user, based on the user's responses to a series of questions, tailored information about pregnancy resources available in the user's zip code and risks related to abortion. HHS must develop a plan to conduct follow-up outreach to users of the portal (if the user consents to the outreach). States must recommend resources that meet criteria set by HHS for inclusion in the portal. HHS may award grants to states to establish or support a system that aggregates resources to include in the portal.
Further, the Health Resources and Services Administration must share information about the new website and portal through the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.
HHS must also ensure that the new website and hotline are available to families who speak languages other than English.
The new website, portal, and hotline may not include resources provided by entities that (1) perform, induce, refer for, or counsel in favor of abortions; or (2) financially support such entities.
The bill also requires HHS to report on traffic to the new website and portal, gaps in services available to pregnant and postpartum individuals, and related matters.
