Midwives for MOMS Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1599
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-19T11:03:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2025 (also known as the Midwives for MOMS Act of 2025) aims to tackle shortages in maternity care by increasing the number of trained midwives through expanded educational funding. It focuses on improving access to quality maternity services, particularly in underserved areas, and promoting diversity in the midwifery workforce.
Key Provisions
- Grants for Midwifery Education (Section 2): Adds a new section (760A) to Title VII of the Public Health Service Act, allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to colleges and universities for:
- Direct financial support to students in accredited midwifery programs.
- Creating or growing accredited midwifery schools or programs.
- Recruiting, training, or supporting more qualified preceptors (experienced mentors who supervise students in clinical settings).
- Grants cannot fund midwifery programs housed within nursing schools.
- Prioritizes institutions that focus on students planning to work in health professional shortage areas (regions with limited healthcare providers) and those increasing enrollment of racial and ethnic minorities in midwifery.
- Authorizes $15 million from fiscal years 2025 to 2029, with funds split as: 50% for student support, 25% for program establishment or expansion, and 25% for preceptors.
- Grants for Nurse-Midwifery Education (Section 3): Adds a new section (812) to Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, enabling grants to nursing schools for:
- Similar support for students, program growth, and preceptors in accredited nurse-midwifery programs (which train nurses to become certified midwives).
- Same priorities for shortage areas and minority representation.
- Authorizes $20 million from fiscal years 2025 to 2029, allocated in the same proportions as above.
- Updated Definitions: Expands terms in the Public Health Service Act to include "midwifery school or program" as an eligible educational entity, ensuring these programs qualify for federal support alongside other health professions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces entirely new grant programs under Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act, which previously focused on other health professions like nursing and physician assistants but did not specifically target midwifery education.
- Adds midwifery programs to key definitions of eligible schools, broadening federal recognition and funding access for non-nursing-based midwifery training.
- Imposes a restriction separating midwifery grants from nursing school programs to encourage standalone midwifery education, which is a novel carve-out not present in prior laws.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HHS will administer the grants, requiring new oversight for allocation, reporting, and compliance, potentially increasing administrative workload but aligning with existing health workforce development efforts.
- On Citizens: Could lead to more midwives available nationwide, improving maternity care access in rural or low-income areas, reducing birth complications, and enhancing outcomes for mothers and infants. Emphasis on diversity may address health disparities affecting minority communities.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill is domestic-focused; however, it could indirectly strengthen U.S. healthcare standards, which might influence global maternity care models or aid programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Educational Institutions: Colleges, universities, and nursing schools eligible for grants to expand midwifery training.
- Students and Future Midwives: Midwifery and nurse-midwifery trainees, especially those from minority backgrounds or committed to underserved areas, who gain financial and mentorship support.
- Healthcare Providers and Patients: Midwives, hospitals, and pregnant individuals in shortage areas, benefiting from a larger, more diverse workforce.
- Federal Government: HHS and Congress, responsible for funding and implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on existing federal authority under the Public Health Service Act to fund health education without creating new regulatory burdens; the separation of midwifery from nursing programs may spark debates on professional boundaries but is unlikely to face legal challenges.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it involves standard congressional spending power for public health without infringing on states' rights or individual liberties.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support (introduced by senators from both parties) for addressing maternity care gaps, potentially advancing health equity goals; could influence future healthcare funding debates by prioritizing preventive, community-based care over hospital-centric models.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-05-05: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-05 — PDF (5 pages)