Tech to Save Moms Act

Bill Number: H.R. 8317
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-04-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last Updated: 2026-07-03T08:06:08Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Tech to Save Moms Act (H.R. 8317) aims to improve maternal health outcomes by promoting the use of technology, such as telehealth and digital tools, in maternity care. It focuses on training providers, reducing disparities (especially racial and ethnic), and expanding access in underserved areas through grants, Medicaid innovations, and research.

Key Provisions

Medicaid Telehealth Expansion (Sec. 2): Adds telehealth for screening, monitoring, and managing common pregnancy complications during pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum as an approved model under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) innovation authority (Section 1115A of the Social Security Act). Effective 1 year after enactment.
Grants for Technology-Enabled Learning Models (Sec. 3): Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award one 5-year grant ($6 million annually for FY 2027–2031) to eligible entities (e.g., organizations providing maternal care in shortage or high-risk areas). Funds must support:
Training providers on safety, bias, mental health/substance use screening, social determinants of health, remote monitoring, and emergency care.
Evaluating impacts on access, quality, outcomes, and patient experience.
Developing best practices and tech infrastructure (e.g., video conferencing, secure data exchange).
HHS provides technical assistance, coordinates broadband access, and requires reports on outcomes.
Grants for Digital Tools to Promote Equity (Sec. 4): Authorizes one 5-year grant ($6 million annually for FY 2027–2031) for digital tools (e.g., early warning systems, clinical decision support) to reduce maternal health disparities. Prioritizes high-risk, shortage, or rural areas; includes technical assistance and detailed reporting on effectiveness, barriers, privacy, and telehealth lessons from COVID-19.
National Academies Study (Sec. 5): Requires HHS to contract for a study (report due within 24 months) on technology (e.g., AI) and patient monitoring devices (e.g., pulse oximeters) in maternity care, focusing on biases, best practices for minorities, and privacy.
Definitions (Secs. 3, 6): Clarifies terms like maternal mortality (pregnancy-related death within 1 year, including suicides/overdoses), severe maternal morbidity (serious pregnancy-aggravated conditions), postpartum (1 year after pregnancy ends), technology-enabled collaborative learning model (interactive video for case-based maternal health training), and maternity care provider (e.g., doctors, midwives, doulas).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

New Authority in Social Security Act: Expands CMS demonstration models to explicitly include postpartum telehealth (up to 1 year) for Medicaid enrollees.
Additions to Public Health Service Act: Inserts Section 330Q for maternal health tech grants; no prior equivalent grant program for these specific technology-enabled models.
Reporting and Evaluation Mandates: Introduces strategic research plans, congressional reports (within 4 years for grants), and a National Academies study on tech biases.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: HHS/CMS must administer grants, provide technical assistance, coordinate broadband, and submit reports/evaluations, potentially increasing workload but fostering innovation.
Citizens: Could improve access to quality maternity care via telehealth/digital tools for pregnant/postpartum individuals, especially in rural/shortage areas, reducing mortality/morbidity and disparities.
No Direct International Relations Impact: Focuses on domestic U.S. health programs, including Tribal organizations.

Main Stakeholders

Eligible Entities/Grantees: Maternal health organizations, providers, Tribal/Urban Indian groups serving high-risk, rural, underserved, or minority populations.
Maternity Care Providers/Students: Trained via interactive tech models on bias, mental health, and remote monitoring.
Pregnant/Postpartum Individuals: Particularly racial/ethnic minorities, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and those in shortage areas benefiting from better screening and equity-focused tools.
HHS/CMS and Congress: Oversee implementation, funding ($12 million/year total authorized), and receive outcome reports.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Equity Focus: Addresses racial/ethnic disparities and biases in tech (e.g., AI, monitoring devices), aligning with broader health equity goals without mandating quotas.
Funding and Duration Limits: Single-grant structure per program promotes focused pilots; relies on future appropriations (authorized but not guaranteed).
Privacy/Security Emphasis: Requires safeguards in reports, supporting HIPAA compliance in telehealth/data sharing.
Federalism Considerations: Encourages state telehealth reimbursement and cross-state barriers removal; coordinates with programs like WIC for data sharing.
No Major Constitutional Issues: Builds on existing grant/reporting powers; promotes voluntary tech adoption in public health emergencies.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Cosponsors (25)

Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]