Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 14, 2026
Bottom line
The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies by bolstering data infrastructure, research, and care guidelines, particularly for underserved communities and those experiencing health disparities.
What it actually does
This bill authorizes significant appropriations totaling $190,000,000 for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) programs. These funds are designated to enhance data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies, with a particular focus on racial and ethnic minority groups. The bill also mandates public disclosure of disaggregated maternal health data, directs the CDC to conduct public health education campaigns, and establishes a task force to develop federal recommendations for respectful maternity care during emergencies.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill is crucial for addressing persistent maternal health disparities, especially those exacerbated by public health emergencies, by providing necessary funding for robust data collection, targeted research, and the development of culturally competent care strategies. They emphasize the importance of understanding and mitigating risks for vulnerable populations to ensure equitable health outcomes during crises.
Opponents contend
While direct opposition to improving maternal health data and care is rare, potential critics might raise concerns about the scale of the authorized appropriations, the scope of federal involvement in state and local health initiatives, or the administrative burden associated with extensive data collection and the operations of a new federal task force.
The bill is relatively concise and accessible, allowing an informed reader to understand its core provisions within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 2(1)
Expanded Funding for Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies (SET-MB) Program
This provision authorizes $100,000,000 for the CDC's SET-MB program. The funding is intended to support the CDC in providing timely, updated guidance to families and healthcare providers, partnering with State, Tribal, territorial, and local public health programs for data collection on infectious diseases' impact on maternal/infant health, and establishing regional centers of excellence to offer medical and public health knowledge, particularly in areas with high maternal mortality disparities.
Supporters argue
Supporters contend this funding is vital for building robust surveillance infrastructure to protect vulnerable mothers and babies during health crises, ensuring data-driven responses and equitable care.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it addresses a recognized public health need. Concerns, if any, might relate to overall spending levels or federal overreach.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the need for rapid response and data collection during emergencies with the importance of community-specific tailoring and addressing long-standing health disparities.
Section 2(2)
Expanded Funding for Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) Program
This provision authorizes $30,000,000 for the CDC's ERASE MM program. The funding is designated to support the CDC in expanding its partnerships with States and Indian Tribes and providing technical assistance to existing Maternal Mortality Review Committees, with the ultimate goal of reducing maternal mortality.
Section 2(3)
Enhanced Funding for Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Survey
This provision authorizes $45,000,000 for the CDC's PRAMS program. The funding will support efforts to create a supplement to the PRAMS survey specifically related to public health emergencies and infectious diseases, add questions around experiences of respectful maternity care, transition the survey to an electronic platform, and expand its reach to a larger population, with a special focus on underrepresented communities.
Section 2(4)
Research Funding for National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
This provision authorizes $15,000,000 for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The funding is intended to conduct or support research for interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of public health emergencies and infectious diseases on maternal and infant health, with a particular focus on individuals from demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes.
Section 3
Public Availability and Disaggregation of Maternal Health Data
This section mandates the Secretary of HHS, acting through the CDC and CMS, to make publicly available on the CDC website data collected through federal surveillance systems regarding public health emergencies and pregnant/postpartum individuals. This data must include diagnostic testing, confirmed cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and other health outcomes related to infectious disease outbreaks. Crucially, the data must be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, primary language, geography, socioeconomic status, and other relevant factors, updated at least monthly during emergencies, and include robust privacy protections.
Section 4
Public Health Education Campaigns
This section directs the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct public health education campaigns during public health emergencies. The purpose of these campaigns is to ensure that pregnant and postpartum individuals, their employers, and their healthcare providers have accurate, evidence-based information on maternal and infant health risks during the emergency, with a particular focus on reaching pregnant and postpartum individuals in underserved communities.
Section 5
Establishment of a Task Force for Maternity Care Recommendations
This section establishes a Task Force, convened by the Secretary of HHS, to develop, publicly post, and update federal recommendations in multiple languages for high-quality, nondiscriminatory, respectful, responsive, and empowering maternity care during public health emergencies. The recommendations will cover a broad range of topics, including telehealth, specialized care, diagnostic testing, birthing companions, newborn separation, breast milk feeding, licensure/reimbursement for midwives, support for perinatal health workers, doula coverage, mental/behavioral health, intimate partner violence, hospital capacity, child care, addressing racism/bias, and the needs of undocumented/uninsured individuals. The Task Force will have a diverse membership, including federal representatives, state/local/Tribal officials, community organizations, providers, patients, and experts.
This section defines critical terms such as "maternal mortality" (death during or within 1 year after pregnancy, including mental health/substance use disorder related deaths), "severe maternal morbidity" (health condition aggravated by pregnancy/childbirth with significant short/long-term consequences), "perinatal health worker" (nonclinical health worker like doula, community health worker), and "respectful maternity care" (culturally/linguistically congruent, maintains dignity/privacy, freedom from harm, informed choice, continuous support).
Section 6
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to consolidate definitions at the end of a bill for clarity and conciseness, rather than embedding them within each section where the terms are used.
Case for: Supporters argue that precise definitions are essential for consistent implementation, data collection, and research, ensuring that programs and interventions target the intended outcomes and populations. The inclusion of mental health and substance use disorders in the definition of maternal mortality is particularly important for a comprehensive approach.
Case against: No specific opposition is typically raised against clear definitions, though the broadness of some definitions (e.g., "perinatal health worker") could be debated in terms of scope for federal programs or potential implications for professional licensing.
Estimated impact: These definitions provide the foundational understanding for all programs and initiatives authorized by the bill, influencing how maternal health outcomes are measured, reported, and addressed across the nation, particularly by broadening the scope of what constitutes maternal health challenges.