H.R. 1966

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants to expand and improve maternal health care services, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · March 6, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Waters · Committee: Committee on Energy and Commerce

Table of contents

• H.R. 1966
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Grants to expand and improve maternal health care services in underserved communities

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Grants to expand and improve maternal health care services in underserved communities

• Title III of the Public Health Service Act () is amended by inserting after section 317K of such Act (247b–12) the following: 42 U.S.C. 241 et seq.
  • (a) In general
    • The Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities—
      • to expand maternal health care services, including prenatal care, postnatal care for infants, and postpartum care for mothers;
      • to improve the quality of such services;
      • to improve health outcomes for women and infants receiving such services; and
      • to reduce disparities in access to care, in the quality of services received, and in health outcomes for women and infants in need of such services.
  • (b) Eligible entities
    • In this section, the term eligible entity means a public or nonprofit private health care provider that serves one or more minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities.
  • (c) Priority
    • In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that, as determined by the Secretary—
      • primarily serve minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities;
      • are led by individuals who have lived, were educated, or currently reside in the communities served; and
      • are geographically located in the communities served.
  • (d) Conditions for receiving grants
    • As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall agree—
      • to provide the health care services supported through the grant in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner; and
      • to limit the percentage of grant funds used for administrative expenses to not more than 10 percent.
  • (e) Application
    • To seek a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
  • (f) Coordination
    • The Secretary shall require grantees under this section—
      • to maximize the coordination of activities funded through this section with other federally funded maternal health care activities; and
      • to minimize the duplication of such activities.
  • (g) Definitions
    • In this section:
      • The term medically underserved community has the meaning given to such term in section 799B.
      • The terms and refer to the period of 12 months following an infant’s birth. postnatal,postpartum
  • (h) Authorization of appropriations
    • To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.