Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities

Summary#

This bill would let the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), give grants to public or nonprofit health care providers to expand and improve maternal health care in underserved communities. Grants would support prenatal care, infant postnatal care, and postpartum care for mothers. The bill sets priorities for providers that mainly serve minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities, are led by people from those communities, and are located in them. Grantees must provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services, limit administrative spending to no more than 10 percent of grant funds, and coordinate with other federally funded maternal health activities. The bill defines postnatal and postpartum care as the 12 months after a baby is born and ties the term "medically underserved community" to an existing legal definition. It authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

What it means for you#

• Health care providers: Public or nonprofit providers that serve minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities could apply for grants to expand prenatal, infant postnatal, and mother postpartum services.
• Community-led providers: Providers led by people who live in, were educated in, or come from the community served may get priority.
• Patients in underserved areas: More local services could be funded that aim to improve care quality and health outcomes for mothers and infants.
• Grantees must offer services in ways that fit the culture and language of the people they serve and keep administrative costs to 10 percent or less.
• Federal coordination: Grantees must try to coordinate with other federal maternal health programs and avoid duplicating activities.

Expenses#

• The bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out the program for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
• No publicly available information on estimated total cost or yearly appropriations amounts is included in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

The bill text frames the program to expand and improve maternal health services, improve health outcomes for women and infants, and reduce disparities in access, quality, and outcomes. It prioritizes organizations that are community-based and community-led, requires culturally and linguistically appropriate care, and limits administrative spending to focus funds on services.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.