This legislation aims to significantly improve maternal health outcomes by leveraging technology and expanding access to care, particularly for underserved populations. It amends the Social Security Act to integrate telehealth tools for screening, monitoring, and managing common health complications for individuals receiving Medicaid during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum, thereby enhancing continuous care and early intervention. A core component authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for evaluating, developing, and expanding technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models . These grants target areas with high maternal mortality, health professional shortages, rural and underserved communities, and populations experiencing significant health disparities. Funds will train maternal healthcare providers on topics like implicit bias, mental health, substance use disorders, and remote patient monitoring, while also requiring evaluation of model effects on care access, quality, and patient outcomes. The bill also establishes a separate grant program to promote equity in maternal health outcomes through digital tools , such as early warning systems and clinical decision support mechanisms, prioritizing entities in areas with elevated maternal health disparities. Both grant programs are authorized for $6,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with each program limited to awarding not more than one grant for a five-year period. To support these efforts, the Secretary is mandated to provide technical assistance to grantees, coordinate for broadband access, and develop a strategic plan for researching and evaluating technology-enabled models. Additionally, the legislation directs the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on innovative technology and patient monitoring devices in maternal health care, focusing on their impact on racial or ethnic biases, best practices for reduction, and ensuring privacy.
This legislation aims to significantly improve maternal health outcomes by leveraging technology and expanding access to care, particularly for underserved populations. It amends the Social Security Act to integrate telehealth tools for screening, monitoring, and managing common health complications for individuals receiving Medicaid during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum, thereby enhancing continuous care and early intervention. A core component authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for evaluating, developing, and expanding technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models . These grants target areas with high maternal mortality, health professional shortages, rural and underserved communities, and populations experiencing significant health disparities. Funds will train maternal healthcare providers on topics like implicit bias, mental health, substance use disorders, and remote patient monitoring, while also requiring evaluation of model effects on care access, quality, and patient outcomes. The bill also establishes a separate grant program to promote equity in maternal health outcomes through digital tools , such as early warning systems and clinical decision support mechanisms, prioritizing entities in areas with elevated maternal health disparities. Both grant programs are authorized for $6,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with each program limited to awarding not more than one grant for a five-year period. To support these efforts, the Secretary is mandated to provide technical assistance to grantees, coordinate for broadband access, and develop a strategic plan for researching and evaluating technology-enabled models. Additionally, the legislation directs the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on innovative technology and patient monitoring devices in maternal health care, focusing on their impact on racial or ethnic biases, best practices for reduction, and ensuring privacy.