Data to Save Moms Act

Bill Number: H.R. 8080
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-03-25: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-05-13T08:06:08Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Data to Save Moms Act" (H.R. 8080) aims to improve maternal health by enhancing data collection, review processes, and quality measures under the Public Health Service Act. It focuses on reducing maternal mortality (pregnancy-related deaths) and severe maternal morbidity (serious health issues from pregnancy or childbirth), with emphasis on racial/ethnic minorities, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals, and nonclinical factors like social determinants of health (e.g., poverty, bias).

Key Provisions

Funding for Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs): Provides $10 million annually (FY 2027–2031) for grants to states, tribes, and urban Indian organizations to diversify MMRC membership (e.g., by race, lived experience), conduct community outreach (especially to minorities), and issue public reports. Reserves at least $1.5 million yearly for tribes. HHS offers technical assistance on best practices.
Expanded MMRC Reviews: Requires MMRCs, where feasible, to review severe maternal morbidity cases, postpartum deaths from suicide/overdose/mental health/substance use (up to 1 year post-pregnancy), and consult community organizations on nonclinical factors.
Review of Data Processes and Quality Measures: Directs HHS (via CMS and AHRQ) to consult diverse stakeholders (e.g., patients, providers, tribes) and assess/improve maternal data collection (e.g., death certificates, demographics, social factors) and quality measures (e.g., prenatal/postpartum care, disparities). Report to Congress within 1 year; authorizes necessary funds (FY 2027–2030).
AI/AN Maternal Health Study: Contracts with an independent or Tribal Epidemiology Center (with 12 tribal representatives) for a 3-year study on AI/AN maternal outcomes, including unique causes, stories from affected individuals, care settings, and recommendations. Report to Congress; $2 million annually (FY 2027–2029).
Grants to Minority-Serving Institutions: Awards $10 million annually (FY 2027–2031) for research on minority maternal health crises (e.g., Hispanic subgroups, lived experiences, lactation workforce diversity). Includes technical assistance and annual HHS reports to Congress.
Definitions: Clarifies terms like pregnancy-related death (death from pregnancy complications within 1 year), severe maternal morbidity, maternity care provider (e.g., midwives, doulas), and social determinants of maternal health.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amends Section 317K of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-12):
Adds new grant program (paragraph 9) for MMRC community engagement.
Reserves tribal funding from existing MMRC grants.
Broadens MMRC case reviews to include severe morbidity, mental health/substance deaths, and community input.
Introduces new standalone sections for HHS reviews, AI/AN study, and minority institution grants, with dedicated authorizations.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases HHS workload (e.g., grants, studies, reports, technical aid); boosts funding for state/tribal MMRCs, potentially improving data accuracy and policy recommendations.
Citizens: Enhances maternal health tracking and equity, targeting disparities in minorities/AI/AN groups; may lead to better care, reduced deaths/morbidity via improved quality measures and community input.
International Relations: None directly addressed.
Overall: Could drive systemic improvements in maternity data, leading to targeted interventions (e.g., bias training, demographic stratification).

Main Stakeholders Affected

Pregnant/postpartum individuals, especially racial/ethnic minorities and AI/AN women.
States, tribes, urban Indian organizations (via MMRC grants/funding).
HHS agencies (CMS, AHRQ, Indian Health Service) for implementation/studies.
Minority-serving institutions, researchers, community organizations (grants, consultations).
Maternity providers (hospitals, midwives, doulas) and perinatal health workers (e.g., community health workers).
Families of those affected by maternal deaths/morbidity.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Authorizes new federal spending (~$50+ million over 5 years) and expands MMRC access to inter-agency data; recommends overcoming barriers like privacy laws for records.
Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with Congress's spending power for public health.
Political: Bipartisan support (diverse cosponsors); emphasizes equity and disparities without mandates, focusing on voluntary grants/studies/reviews. May influence future Medicaid/CHIP quality reporting.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

Cosponsors (44)

Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]

Recent Actions

2026-03-25: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-03-25: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-03-25: Introduced in House
2026-03-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Data to Save Moms Act — issued 2026-03-25 — PDF (26 pages)