Social Determinants for Moms Act

The Social Determinants for Moms Act, currently under committee review, would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a task force and grant program focused on maternal health. The task force would coordinate efforts among federal agencies and external stakeholders to develop strategies addressing preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities. If enacted, the bill would address nonclinical factors that impact maternal health, including housing, transportation, nutrition, food security, and environmental conditions. The legislation would also authorize HHS to award grants to community-based organizations, nonprofits, tribal organizations, public health departments, and other entities to implement programs addressing these social determinants of maternal health. Grant recipients would be required to submit annual reports tracking outcomes and disaggregating data by race, ethnicity, gender, language, geography, and socioeconomic status. The federal government would also submit periodic reports to Congress with recommendations for future funding and actions to address maternal health disparities.