Momnibus Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
- Committees
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Aug 6, 2026
Bottom line
This comprehensive bill aims to significantly reduce adverse maternal health outcomes and disparities in the U.S. through a multi-faceted approach spanning clinical, social, environmental, and systemic factors, with a strong emphasis on equity.
What it actually does
The Momnibus Act establishes numerous grant programs, task forces, and studies across various federal agencies to address maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and health disparities in the United States. It focuses on a wide range of factors including social determinants of health, workforce development, data collection, mental health, care for incarcerated individuals, technology integration, alternative payment models, public health emergency response, climate change impacts, and maternal vaccinations. The bill authorizes significant funding for these initiatives over multiple fiscal years.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the bill provides a holistic and necessary approach to tackle the maternal health crisis, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups who experience disproportionately high rates of adverse outcomes. They emphasize the importance of addressing social determinants of health, expanding and diversifying the perinatal workforce, improving data collection and review, ensuring respectful care, and responding to emerging threats like climate change and pandemics. Proponents believe this integrated strategy is essential to save lives and improve health outcomes for birthing people and their families.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that the bill's broad scope and numerous new programs could lead to administrative inefficiencies, duplication of efforts across agencies, or excessive federal spending without clear, measurable metrics for success. Some may also raise concerns about potential federal overreach into state and local health initiatives or the imposition of new requirements that could be perceived as unfunded mandates on states or other entities. Concerns about the long-term fiscal implications of the authorized appropriations may also be raised.
The bill is extensive and highly detailed, requiring significant time to read and understand its numerous provisions, which is challenging given typical legislative review periods for complex legislation.
Title I, Sec. 101-102
Addressing Social Determinants of Maternal Health
This title establishes a federal task force to coordinate efforts across agencies to eliminate preventable maternal mortality and disparities by addressing clinical and nonclinical causes. It also authorizes grants for eligible entities, including community-based organizations, to address social determinants like housing, transportation, nutrition, and environmental conditions that impact maternal health outcomes.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that addressing social determinants is crucial for improving maternal health outcomes, as nonclinical factors significantly contribute to disparities. The task force ensures a coordinated federal response, while grants empower local organizations to deliver tailored support.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that while important, addressing social determinants is complex and may fall outside the traditional scope of health agencies, potentially leading to inefficient use of resources or duplication of efforts with existing social service programs.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the need for comprehensive, interagency coordination with the challenge of effectively managing a broad range of social interventions. It also navigates the tension between federal oversight and local autonomy in program implementation.
Title II, Sec. 201
Extending WIC Eligibility for New Moms
This section amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to extend eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for postpartum individuals from six months to 24 months, and for breastfeeding individuals from one year to 24 months. It also requires a report on the effects of these extensions on maternal and infant health outcomes.
Title III, Sec. 301-304
Advancing Maternal Health Equity and Respectful Care
This title authorizes grants for community-based organizations to advance maternal health equity, prioritizing those serving high-need communities and led by individuals from demographic groups with elevated adverse outcomes. It also establishes grants for respectful maternity care training for all employees in maternity care settings, a study on reducing bias, and a respectful maternity care compliance program for hospitals to address racism and bias.
Title IV, Sec. 401
Maternal Health Support for Veterans
This section authorizes $15,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support its maternity health care and coordination programs. It also requires annual reports to Congress on the VA's activities, maternal health outcomes of veterans (including those dually eligible for Indian Health Service), and recommendations for improvement, with a focus on disparities.
Title V, Sec. 501-503
Growing and Diversifying the Perinatal Workforce
This title directs HHS to issue guidance to states on encouraging diverse and multidisciplinary maternity care models and to conduct a study on respectful care best practices. It also establishes two grant programs: one for $15,000,000 annually (FY2027-2031) to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce (physician assistants, perinatal health workers, midwives) and another for $15,000,000 annually (FY2027-2031) to grow and diversify the perinatal nursing workforce (nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, clinical nurse specialists). Both grant programs prioritize diversity and practice in underserved areas.
Title VI, Sec. 601-605
Enhancing Maternal Health Data Collection and Research
This title expands the scope and funding for maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) to include severe maternal morbidity and mental health-related deaths, with a focus on community engagement and addressing unique circumstances of racial/ethnic minority groups. It mandates a review of maternal health data collection processes and quality measures, a study on maternal health among American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, and grants to minority-serving institutions (MSIs) for research on maternal health disparities.
Title VII, Sec. 701-702
Maternal Mental Health and Behavioral Health Workforce
This title establishes a $25,000,000 annual grant program (FY2027-2031) for eligible entities to address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, with a focus on demographic groups with elevated adverse outcomes. Uses include integrating care, expanding group care, providing services, addressing stigma, and training providers. It also authorizes $15,000,000 annually (FY2027-2031) for grants to grow and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce.
Title VIII, Sec. 801-803
Justice for Incarcerated Moms
This title includes a provision that reduces Byrne Justice Grant funding by 25% for states that do not restrict the shackling of pregnant individuals in prison. It also mandates the Bureau of Prisons to establish model programs in at least six facilities to optimize maternal health outcomes for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals, and creates a grant program for states to establish or expand similar programs in state and local prisons and jails.
Title IX, Sec. 901-903
Leveraging Technology to Save Moms
This title amends the Social Security Act to allow states to use telehealth tools for screening, monitoring, and managing health complications during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum under Medicaid waivers. It also establishes two grant programs: one for $6,000,000 annually (FY2027-2031) to expand technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models for maternal health, and another for $6,000,000 annually (FY2027-2031) to promote equity in maternal health outcomes through digital tools, including provider-facing technologies.
Title X, Sec. 1001
Perinatal Care Alternative Payment Model Demonstration Project
This section establishes a demonstration project for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, allowing states to test alternative payment models under Medicaid and CHIP for maternity care. The project aims to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for demographic groups with elevated disparities, by considering models that stratify patients by risk, establish evidence-based quality metrics, include nonhospital birth settings, address social determinants, and incorporate diverse maternity care teams.
Title XI, Sec. 1102-1105
Maternal Health Pandemic Response
This title authorizes significant funding for CDC programs (Surveillance for Emerging Threats, ERASE MM, PRAMS) and NIH research to collect data, conduct surveillance, and research maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies. It mandates public disclosure of disaggregated maternal health data during emergencies, public health communication campaigns, and establishes a task force to develop federal recommendations for respectful, responsive, and empowering maternity care during public health emergencies.
Title XII, Sec. 1202-1205
Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Risks
This title establishes a grant program ($100,000,000 for FY2027-2030) to protect vulnerable individuals (pregnant, postpartum, and children under 3) from climate change risks like extreme heat and air pollution. It also creates a grant program ($5,000,000 for FY2027-2030) for health profession schools to integrate climate change risks into education and training, establishes an NIH Consortium on Birth and Climate Change Research, and mandates a strategy for identifying climate change risk zones for vulnerable mothers and babies.
Title XIII, Sec. 1301
NIH IMPROVE Initiative
This section codifies and authorizes $73,400,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue carrying out the Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative. The initiative aims to advance research to reduce preventable causes of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, reduce health disparities, and improve health for pregnant and postpartum women before, during, and after pregnancy, using an integrated approach.
Title XIV, Sec. 1401
Maternal Vaccination Awareness and Equity Campaign
This section amends the Public Health Service Act to expand existing vaccination awareness campaigns to specifically include pregnant and postpartum individuals. It authorizes $17,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for these campaigns, with a focus on increasing vaccination rates among pregnant and postpartum individuals, including racial and ethnic minority groups, and their children.
Reduces Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Program funds by 25% for states that do not have laws restricting the use of restraints on pregnant individuals in prison that are substantially similar to federal law (18 U.S.C. 4322).
Sec. 801(a)
Why it matters:This is a tactical maneuver to incentivize states to adopt a federal policy standard on criminal justice practices related to pregnant individuals. It avoids direct federal mandate by tying compliance to significant federal funding, which can be politically more palatable than a direct prohibition.
Case for: Proponents argue that this provision is a necessary and effective way to end the inhumane and medically dangerous practice of shackling pregnant individuals, ensuring their dignity and safety during a vulnerable period. Tying it to existing grants provides a strong incentive for states to comply.
Case against: Critics might argue that this constitutes an unfunded mandate or federal overreach into state correctional policy, forcing states to choose between federal funding and their own legislative autonomy regarding prison security protocols. They might also contend that it could lead to states foregoing critical justice funding rather than changing their practices.
Estimated impact: Potentially affects all states receiving Byrne Justice Grant funds, influencing state laws and practices regarding incarcerated pregnant individuals. The financial impact on non-compliant states could be substantial.
Amends section 1115A(b)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act to add a new clause (xxviii), allowing for the adoption and use of telehealth tools for screening, monitoring, and management of common health complications during pregnancy and for up to a 1-year postpartum period under Medicaid waivers.
Sec. 901(a)
Why it matters:Amending existing law is standard legislative practice. The technical nature of the amendment makes it less accessible to a casual reader, but it is not necessarily evasive. It leverages an established mechanism (Medicaid waivers) to expand a new policy (telehealth for maternal care).
Case for: Proponents argue this expands critical telehealth access for pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly in rural and underserved areas, improving monitoring and management of complications and reducing barriers to care. It modernizes Medicaid to reflect current healthcare delivery methods.
Case against: No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision. Concerns might arise regarding the implementation challenges for states, ensuring equitable access to telehealth technology for all beneficiaries, and potential for fraud or abuse in telehealth services, though these are general concerns for telehealth expansion.
Estimated impact: Potentially enables all states to seek Medicaid waivers for expanded maternal telehealth services, significantly increasing access to care for millions of low-income pregnant and postpartum individuals.
Amends Section 317K(f) of the Public Health Service Act to reserve not less than $1,500,000 of existing maternal mortality review committee (MMRC) funding for grants to Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Urban Indian organizations.
Sec. 601(b)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for ensuring specific populations or entities receive dedicated funding within broader programs. It's a targeted allocation rather than an evasive tactic.
Case for: Proponents argue that American Indian and Alaska Native individuals face unique maternal health challenges and disparities, and dedicated funding ensures that Tribal entities can conduct culturally appropriate maternal mortality reviews and community engagement efforts.
Case against: No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision. Some might argue that all MMRC funding should be allocated based on need rather than specific set-asides, but the unique sovereignty and health status of Tribal nations typically warrant such provisions.
Estimated impact: Guarantees at least $1,500,000 annually for Tribal entities to conduct maternal mortality review activities, enhancing their capacity to address maternal health within their communities.