This bill, the Moms Matter Act, would create two federal grant programs focused on maternal mental health and substance use disorders and on growing the maternal mental and behavioral health workforce.
The first program (administered by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use) would award grants to eligible entities such as community-based organizations, maternity care providers, mental health providers, tribal organizations, and state or local public health departments. Grants would prioritize groups that partner with community organizations, operate in areas with high maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity, or serve Health Professional Shortage Areas. Allowed uses include integrating maternal mental health into primary care, group prenatal or postpartum programs, referrals to addiction treatment, anti-stigma work, warning-sign awareness, suicide prevention, support at freestanding birth centers, provider training and referral systems, hotlines and care coordination, and other evidence-based activities. Grantees must submit annual public reports. The Secretary must report to Congress by the end of fiscal year 2030 summarizing grant activity, evaluating effectiveness, and giving recommendations.
The second program (added to Title VII of the Public Health Service Act as a new section) would fund schools or programs that train mental and behavioral health providers who specialize in maternal mental health or substance use disorders and could support scholarships and expansion of enrollment. The Secretary would prioritize programs that recruit and retain students and faculty from racial and ethnic minority groups, plan to serve Health Professional Shortage Areas or areas with maternal health disparities, and include bias, racism, and discrimination training in curricula. Grant recipients must submit annual reports on student numbers, demographics, practice locations, and training content. The Secretary must report to Congress within four years on program effectiveness. Grants may last up to five years.
If you are pregnant or within one year after pregnancy, the bill would authorize federal funding that could be used by local clinics, community groups, and birth centers to offer more maternal mental health screening, referrals to treatment, group prenatal or postpartum programs, hotlines, and provider training in areas identified by the law.
If you are a student or trainee in mental or behavioral health, the bill would fund schools and programs and scholarships aimed at training specialists in maternal mental health and substance use disorders, with a focus on recruiting diverse students and serving shortage areas.
The bill authorizes $25,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the maternal mental health equity grant program. It also authorizes $15,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce grants. No publicly available information on estimated total costs beyond these authorization amounts or on how funds would be allocated year to year is provided in the bill text.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.