Moms Matter Act

Bill Number: H.R. 8811
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last Updated: 2026-07-07T08:05:47Z

AI-Generated Summary

Moms Matter Act (H.R. 8811)

Purpose

This legislation aims to address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders through targeted grant programs. It focuses on supporting pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly those from demographic groups experiencing elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse outcomes.

Key Provisions

Maternal Mental Health Equity Grant Program: Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants to eligible entities. These grants support activities such as integrating mental and behavioral health services into maternity care, expanding group prenatal and postpartum programs, providing referrals to addiction treatment, addressing stigma, raising awareness of warning signs, preventing suicide, offering services at freestanding birth centers, training providers, developing provider directories, improving care coordination, and implementing evidence-based practices.
Workforce Development Grants: Amends Title VII of the Public Health Service Act to add Section 758, enabling grants to establish or expand programs that train and diversify mental and behavioral health care providers specializing in maternal mental health and substance use disorders. This includes creating new schools or programs, expanding existing ones, and awarding scholarships.
Prioritization and Eligibility: Grants prioritize entities partnering with community-based organizations, operating in high-need areas or health professional shortage areas, and demonstrating commitments to diversity, recruitment from racial and ethnic minority groups, and bias training.
Reporting and Evaluation: Requires annual reports from grantees on activities and outcomes, with the Secretary submitting a comprehensive report to Congress by the end of fiscal year 2030. A separate report on workforce grant effectiveness is due within four years of enactment.
Funding Authorizations: Provides $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the equity grant program and $15,000,000 annually for the same period for workforce grants.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Creates a new standalone grant program under the Department of Health and Human Services for maternal mental health equity.
Introduces Section 758 into the Public Health Service Act, establishing a dedicated workforce expansion initiative with specific requirements for diversity, bias training, and service in underserved areas.
Expands definitions related to maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternity care providers, and eligible entities to include community-based organizations, Indian Tribes, and Urban Indian organizations.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services in grant oversight, reporting, and technical assistance.
Citizens: Enhances access to integrated mental health services, provider training, and support for pregnant and postpartum individuals, with emphasis on reducing disparities in high-risk groups.
International Relations: No direct provisions or impacts identified.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Pregnant and postpartum individuals, especially from groups with elevated health risks.
Community-based organizations, nonprofit advocacy groups, maternity care providers, and mental or behavioral health providers.
State and local governments, including public health departments.
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations.
Educational institutions and programs training health care professionals.
Health professional shortage areas and regions with significant maternal health disparities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Relies on standard congressional authority for public health funding and amendments to existing statutes, with no apparent conflicts with constitutional provisions.
Emphasizes equity-focused approaches, including diversity in workforce development and bias training, which may influence implementation at federal and state levels.
Includes mechanisms for ongoing evaluation and sustainability recommendations to ensure long-term program effects beyond grant periods.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

Cosponsors (45)

Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], 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. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], 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. 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. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]