Congresswomen Secure Funding for Maternity Care Initiatives in Domestic Appropriations Bill

Strategic Insights -

Congresswomen Lucille Roybal-Allard and Jaime Herrera Beutler, co-founders of the Congressional Caucus on Maternity Care, have successfully advocated for key provisions in the FY 2021 domestic appropriations bill to promote maternal, infant, and child health. The bill includes funding for various initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities and maternal mortality, supporting low-income and disadvantaged pregnant women, and promoting breastfeeding and maternal mental health. The congresswomen's efforts prioritize the health and safety of mothers and babies across the country, particularly in communities of color.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FY 2021 domestic appropriations bill includes $712.7 million for the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, which enables federal-state partnerships to address health services needs of mothers, infants, and children.
  • $130 million is allocated for the Healthy Start Program, supporting low-income and disadvantaged pregnant women and their families.
  • $68 million is provided for the CDC Safe Motherhood Programs to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce disparities.
  • $22 million will be used to expand maternal mortality review committees.
  • $21.9 million is dedicated to the HRSA Heritable Disorders Newborn Screening Program to strengthen newborn screening.
  • $19 million is allocated for the CDC Newborn Screening Quality Assurance program to ensure accurate testing for new conditions.
  • $9 million will support the CDC Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding Initiative.
  • $7 million will be used to expand implementation of the HRSA Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health program's maternal safety bundles.
  • $5 million is allocated for the HRSA Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression Program.
  • $3 million in first-time funding will support a Maternal Mental Health Hotline.
  • $2.5 million will be used to educate Midwives through the HRSA Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program.
  • Language guides CMS to develop a proposal to increase access to birth centers and midwives in all state Medicaid programs.
  • Language encourages HHS to develop a coordinated Department-wide strategy to address maternal mortality and prematurity.
  • Language directs HHS to prepare to implement recommendations for safe and effective therapies for pregnant and lactating women.
  • Language supports the work of the NICHD Maternal Fetal Medicine Units Research Network.
  • Language directs NIH to establish a comprehensive COVID-19 pediatric research agenda.

Statistics:

  • 700 American women die annually due to pregnancy or delivery complications (CDC estimate).
  • U.S. infant mortality rates are higher than 33 other similarly wealthy countries.
  • More than 50,000 American women per year experience severe complications in pregnancy that adversely impact their health.
  • The U.S. spends significantly more per capita on childbirth than any other industrialized nation.
  • The country ranks far behind almost all other developed countries in healthy birth outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Sources:

  • Press release from the office of California Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard
  • Congressional Caucus on Maternity Care
  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  • Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee