Moms Matter Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4552
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-10T11:03:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Moms Matter Act Purpose This legislation aims to improve support for maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders by funding new programs that target groups facing higher risks of poor outcomes during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Key Provisions
- Maternal Mental Health Equity Grant Program (Section 2): Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants to eligible entities. These grants focus on areas and populations with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, health disparities, or other adverse outcomes.
- Eligible entities include community-based organizations, nonprofits, maternity care providers, mental health providers, state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and Urban Indian organizations.
- Priority is given to entities partnering with community organizations, operating in high-need areas, or located in health professional shortage areas.
- Allowed uses of funds cover establishing or expanding integrated care programs, group prenatal and postpartum care, stigma reduction efforts, suicide prevention, provider training on warning signs and referrals, hotlines for coordination, and other evidence-based activities.
- Reporting requirements: Grantees must submit annual public reports on activities and outcomes; the Secretary must report to Congress by the end of fiscal year 2030 with evaluations and recommendations on coverage and sustainability.
- Funding: Authorizes $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
- Workforce Development Grants (Section 3): Amends Title VII of the Public Health Service Act by adding a new Section 758. This authorizes grants to establish or expand education and training programs for mental and behavioral health providers specializing in maternal issues.
- Uses include creating new schools or programs and expanding existing ones, including through scholarships.
- Prioritization favors entities committed to recruiting diverse students and faculty (especially from racial and ethnic minority groups), placing graduates in shortage areas or high-disparity regions, and including bias training in curricula.
- Requirements include annual reporting on student demographics, career placements, and training effectiveness; the Secretary must provide technical assistance and submit a report to Congress within four years.
- Funding: Authorizes $15,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Creates two new federal grant programs focused specifically on maternal mental health and substance use disorders.
- Adds a new section to the Public Health Service Act to support workforce growth and diversification in this specialty area.
- Introduces new definitions for terms such as maternal mortality (including suicide and overdose linked to pregnancy) and freestanding birth centers.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services in grant management, reporting, and technical assistance.
- Citizens: Expands access to screening, treatment, education, and support services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, with emphasis on groups experiencing disparities.
- International relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly from demographic groups with higher rates of adverse outcomes.
- Health care providers, including maternity care providers, mental health professionals, and birth centers.
- Community-based and nonprofit organizations.
- State, local, tribal, and urban Indian governments and health departments.
- Educational institutions training mental and behavioral health providers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill relies on existing federal public health authorities and does not alter core constitutional powers or create new regulatory mandates on states.
- It emphasizes equity-focused targeting and diversity in workforce programs, which may involve considerations under civil rights and nondiscrimination laws in implementation.
- No major changes to individual rights or interstate commerce regulations are introduced.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Cosponsors (7)
Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-05-18: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Moms Matter Act — issued 2026-05-18 — PDF (15 pages)