Data to Save Moms Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4187
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-13T13:52:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Data to Save Moms Act aims to improve maternal health by enhancing data collection on maternal deaths and serious health issues during or after pregnancy (known as maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity), especially for racial/ethnic minorities and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. It amends the Public Health Service Act to fund diverse community involvement, expand reviews, and study disparities.
Key Provisions
- Funding for Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) (Sec. 2): Provides $10 million annually (FY 2027–2031) for grants to states, tribes, and urban Indian organizations to diversify MMRC membership (e.g., by race, location, lived experience), conduct community outreach (focusing on minority women), and issue public reports. Reserves at least $1.5 million yearly for tribes; offers technical assistance on best practices.
- Expanded Data Review (Sec. 3): Requires MMRCs, where feasible, to review severe maternal morbidity cases, deaths from suicide/overdose/mental health/substance use up to 1 year postpartum linked to pregnancy, and consult community organizations on non-medical factors.
- Review of Data Processes and Quality Measures (Sec. 4): Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (via CMS and AHRQ) to consult diverse stakeholders (e.g., patients, providers, community groups) and assess/improve data collection (e.g., death certificates, demographics) and maternity care quality measures (e.g., prenatal/postpartum care). Covers state/tribal practices, funding adequacy, disparities, and barriers. Requires a report to Congress within 1 year; authorizes necessary funds (FY 2027–2030).
- AI/AN Maternal Health Study (Sec. 5): Contracts with an independent or Tribal Epidemiology Center (with 12 tribal reps) for a 3-year study on unique causes, stories, care settings, social factors (e.g., poverty, violence), and recommendations. Report to Congress; $2 million annually (FY 2027–2029).
- Grants to Minority-Serving Institutions (Sec. 6): Awards $10 million annually (FY 2027–2031) to research centers at minority-serving colleges for studies on minority maternal health crises, including patient stories, Hispanic data issues, subgroups, and lactation workforce diversity. Includes technical assistance and annual reports to Congress.
- Definitions (Sec. 7): Clarifies terms like pregnancy-related death (death from pregnancy complications within 1 year), severe maternal morbidity, social determinants of maternal health (non-medical factors like poverty), and roles of maternity care providers/perinatal health workers.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 317K of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-12):
- Adds new grants for MMRC community engagement and diversity.
- Reserves tribal funding from existing MMRC grants.
- Broadens MMRC reviews to include severe morbidity, mental health/substance deaths, and community input.
- Introduces new standalone sections for federal reviews, AI/AN study, and minority institution grants, with dedicated authorizations.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases HHS/CMS/AHRQ workload for reviews/reports; boosts funding for state/tribal MMRCs and Indian Health Service coordination.
- Citizens: Improves maternal health data accuracy, potentially leading to better care, reduced disparities (e.g., for minorities/AI/AN), and actionable recommendations on quality measures.
- Healthcare: Encourages diverse MMRCs, standardized measures, and demographic data in hospitals/birth centers, possibly influencing Medicaid/CHIP reporting.
- No direct international impacts; focuses on U.S. domestic health equity.
Main Stakeholders
- Pregnant/postpartum individuals, especially from racial/ethnic minorities and AI/AN communities.
- States, tribes, tribal/urban Indian organizations, and their MMRCs.
- HHS agencies (CMS, AHRQ, Indian Health Service).
- Healthcare providers (hospitals, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants).
- Community/nonprofit organizations, perinatal workers, and minority-serving institutions.
- Researchers and quality organizations (e.g., National Quality Forum).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands MMRC access recommendations to federal/state records (e.g., for veterans/incarcerated) and multidisciplinary expertise; no mandates, focuses on grants/voluntary improvements.
- Constitutional: Supports equal protection by addressing health disparities without infringing rights; tribal provisions align with federal-tribal trust responsibilities.
- Political: Authorizes ~$100+ million over 5 years, emphasizing equity/diversity; may influence future appropriations and maternal health policy debates. Neutral emphasis on data-driven, stakeholder-inclusive approaches.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-03-25: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Data to Save Moms Act — issued 2026-03-25 — PDF (26 pages)