Sponsors (40)
The bill increases and targets maternal and postpartum care for underserved communities and prioritizes community-led, culturally competent providers, but does so at added federal cost and with eligibility and administrative rules (including a strict 10% admin cap) that may leave coverage gaps or strain smaller providers.
Pregnant people in minority, low-income, and medically underserved communities will gain expanded access to prenatal, infant postnatal, and 12‑month postpartum care through grant-funded services.
Women and infants in participating communities may see improved maternal health outcomes because of targeted quality‑improvement grants and better coordination with federal programs.
Community-based clinics and locally led organizations (including rural providers and trusted nonprofits) will receive funding priority, strengthening local maternal and infant care capacity.
Taxpayers nationwide will face increased federal spending because the program authorizes 'such sums as may be necessary' for FY2026–FY2030 without a fixed cap.
Patients in areas where for‑profit or out‑of‑area providers are the main local source of care may experience service gaps because those providers are ineligible for funding.
Small nonprofits and community providers may be disadvantaged or deterred from applying due to administrative and coordination requirements, reducing local access if those organizations cannot compete for grants.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates an HHS competitive grant program funding providers to expand prenatal, infant postnatal, and 12‑month postpartum services in minority, low‑income, and medically underserved communities; authorizes FY2026–FY2030.
Creates a new HHS competitive grant program to help public and nonprofit health care providers expand and improve maternal health services in minority, low‑income, and medically underserved communities. Grants fund prenatal care, infant postnatal care, and maternal postpartum care through the first 12 months after birth, prioritize community‑based and community‑led providers, require culturally and linguistically appropriate services, cap administrative costs at 10%, and require coordination with other federally funded maternal health activities. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026–2030.
Introduced March 6, 2025 by Maxine Waters · Last progress March 6, 2025