Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
- Committees
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 18, 2026
Bottom line
The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act aims to strengthen the federal response to maternal health challenges during public health emergencies by investing in data, research, and policy guidance, with a strong emphasis on equity.
What it actually does
This bill authorizes $190 million in appropriations for various 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 and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies, with a particular focus on addressing racial and ethnic disparities. It also mandates the public disclosure of disaggregated maternal health data during emergencies and establishes a task force to develop federal recommendations for respectful maternity care during such crises.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionately impact pregnant and postpartum individuals, especially those from racial and ethnic minority groups, exacerbating existing health disparities. They contend that this bill provides crucial resources for robust data collection, evidence-based guidance, and targeted research necessary to protect vulnerable populations and ensure equitable maternal and infant health outcomes during crises.
Opponents contend
Potential opponents might argue that while maternal health is a critical issue, this bill could represent an overreach of federal authority into areas traditionally managed by state and local public health departments. Concerns might also be raised regarding the total authorized appropriations as potentially excessive amidst other national priorities, or about the administrative burden placed on healthcare providers and state agencies by new data collection and reporting requirements, despite the bill's privacy safeguards.
The bill is relatively concise and clearly structured, allowing an informed reader to understand its core provisions and implications within a reasonable amount of time.
Section 2(1)
Funding for Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies (SET-MB)
This provision authorizes $100,000,000 for the CDC's SET-MB program. The funds are intended to support the CDC in providing timely guidance to families and healthcare providers, expanding clinical data collection on the impact of public health emergencies on pregnant and postpartum individuals (especially racial and ethnic minority groups), and establishing regional centers of excellence for maternal and newborn care in high-disparity areas.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that strengthening the SET-MB program is essential for rapidly understanding and responding to new threats to maternal and infant health during public health emergencies, ensuring that guidance is current and tailored to diverse communities.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it focuses on public health surveillance and guidance, which are generally supported. However, some might question the specific funding amount relative to other public health priorities.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the need for rapid response with the importance of comprehensive, disaggregated data collection, which can be resource-intensive for local partners.
Section 2(2)
Funding for Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM)
This provision authorizes $30,000,000 for the CDC's ERASE MM program. These funds are designated to expand the CDC's partnerships with States and Indian Tribes and provide technical assistance to existing Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs). The goal is to strengthen the review process for maternal deaths and identify actionable prevention strategies.
Section 2(3)
Funding for Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)
This provision authorizes $45,000,000 for the CDC's PRAMS. The funds will be used to create a supplement to the PRAMS survey specifically related to public health emergencies, add questions about 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)
Funding for National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Research
This provision authorizes $15,000,000 for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). These funds are intended to conduct or support research into interventions that can mitigate the effects of public health emergencies and infectious diseases on maternal and infant health, with a specific emphasis on individuals from demographic groups that experience elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, or other adverse perinatal outcomes.
Section 3
Public Health Emergency Maternal Health Data Collection and Disclosure
This section mandates that the Secretary of HHS, through the CDC and CMS, 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. It requires disaggregation by race, ethnicity, gender, primary language, geography, and socioeconomic status, with monthly updates during emergencies. Privacy protections are explicitly required, and the Secretary must issue guidance to state and local health departments on data collection and disaggregation, consulting with Indian Tribes.
Section 4
Public Health Communication Regarding Maternal Care
This section directs the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct public health education campaigns during public health emergencies. These campaigns are designed to provide pregnant and postpartum individuals, their employers, and healthcare providers with accurate, evidence-based information on maternal and infant health risks during the emergency, with a specific focus on reaching underserved communities.
Section 5
Task Force on Birthing Experience and Safe, Respectful, Responsive, and Empowering Maternity Care
This section establishes a Task Force, convened by the Secretary of HHS, to develop and publicly post federal recommendations for respectful, responsive, and empowering maternity care during public health emergencies. The recommendations will cover a wide range of topics, including telehealth, specialized care, birthing companions, midwife inclusion, doula coverage, mental health, intimate partner violence, hospital capacity, addressing racism/bias, and care for undocumented/uninsured individuals. The Task Force membership is mandated to be diverse, including federal agency representatives, state/local/Tribal public health officials, community-based organizations, maternity care providers, patients, and experts on disparities.
Requires the Secretary to consult with Indian Tribes and confer with Urban Indian organizations when making data publicly available and when issuing guidance to ensure culturally appropriate data collection and to reduce misclassification of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Section 3(c) and 3(g)(2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to ensure specific populations are considered in broad federal programs, rather than an attempt to obscure the provision.
Case for: Supporters argue that explicit consultation with Indian Tribes and Urban Indian organizations is crucial to ensure data accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and to address historical inequities in health data for American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Case against: No specific opposition is typically raised against provisions ensuring consultation with Tribal entities, as it is considered a matter of tribal sovereignty and effective public health practice.
Estimated impact: Ensures that data collection and guidance are more inclusive and accurate for American Indian and Alaska Native communities, potentially improving health outcomes for these populations.
The definition of 'maternal mortality' explicitly includes 'a suicide, overdose, or other death resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy-related or childbirth complications.'
Section 6(2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for defining terms used throughout the bill, rather than an attempt to obscure the provision.
Case for: Proponents argue that this expanded definition is vital for a comprehensive understanding of maternal mortality, recognizing the significant role of mental health and substance use disorders in pregnancy-related deaths, which are often overlooked in narrower definitions.
Case against: No specific opposition is typically raised against broadening the definition of maternal mortality to include mental health and substance use, as it reflects a more complete public health picture.
Estimated impact: Significantly broadens the scope of what constitutes maternal mortality for data collection and research purposes, leading to a more accurate and holistic understanding of pregnancy-related deaths.
The Task Force recommendations must address licensure, training, scope of practice, and reimbursement for certified midwives and certified professional midwives, specifically facilitating the inclusion of midwives of color and from underserved communities. It also includes financial support and training for perinatal health workers, facilitating inclusion from underserved communities.
Section 5(b)(1)(H) and (I)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for detailing the scope of a task force's duties, rather than an attempt to obscure the provision.
Case for: Proponents argue that expanding the role and ensuring equitable inclusion of midwives and perinatal health workers, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, is critical for improving access to culturally congruent and respectful maternity care, especially in underserved areas.
Case against: Some medical associations might express concerns about changes to scope of practice or reimbursement models for midwives without sufficient regulatory oversight or evidence of quality, though the bill calls for recommendations, not direct changes.
Estimated impact: Could significantly expand the workforce providing maternal care, particularly in underserved communities, and improve access to culturally sensitive support, if recommendations are adopted and implemented.