Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2019

To address maternity care shortages and promote optimal maternity outcomes by expanding educational opportunities for midwives, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2019 Midwives for MOMS Act of 2019 2. Midwifery schools and programs (a) In general Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 760 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 294k 760A. Midwifery schools and programs (a) In general The Secretary may award grants to institutions of higher education (as defined in subsections (a) and (b) of section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965) for the following: (1) Direct support of students in an accredited midwifery school or program. (2) Establishment or expansion of an accredited midwifery school or program. (3) Securing, preparing, or providing support for increasing the number of, qualified preceptors for training the students of an accredited midwifery school or program. (b) Special considerations In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary give special consideration to any institution of higher education that— (1) agrees to prioritize students who plan to practice in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332; and (2) demonstrates a focus on increasing racial and ethnic minority representation in midwifery education. (c) Restriction The Secretary shall not provide any assistance under this section to be used with respect to a midwifery school or program within a school of nursing (as defined in section 801). (d) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. (2) Allocation Of the amounts made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall use— (A) 50 percent for subsection (a)(1); (B) 25 percent for subsection (a)(2); and (C) 25 percent for subsection (a)(3). . (b) Definitions (1) Midwifery school or program Section 799B(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 295p(1)(A) (A) by inserting midwifery school or program and school of chiropractic (B) by inserting a degree or certificate in midwifery or an equivalent degree or certificate, and a degree of doctor of chiropractic or an equivalent degree (C) by striking any such school any such school or program (2) Accredited Section 799B(1)(E) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 295p(1)(E) or a midwifery school or program, or a graduate program in health administration 3. Nurse-midwives Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 811 of that Act ( 42 U.S.C. 296j 812. Midwifery expansion program (a) In general The Secretary may award grants to schools of nursing for the following: (1) Direct support of students in an accredited nurse-midwifery school or program. (2) Establishment or expansion of an accredited nurse-midwifery school or program. (3) Securing, preparing, or providing support for increasing the numbers of, preceptors at clinical training sites to precept students training to become certified nurse-midwives. (b) Special considerations In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary give special consideration to any school of nursing that— (1) agrees to prioritize students who choose to pursue an advanced education degree in nurse-midwifery to practice in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332; and (2) demonstrates a focus on increasing racial and ethnic minority representation in nurse-midwifery education. (c) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. (2) Allocation Of the amounts made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall use— (A) 50 percent for subsection (a)(1); (B) 25 percent for subsection (a)(2); and (C) 25 percent for subsection (a)(3). .

Summary: Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2019 or the Midwives for MOMS Act of 2019 This bill establishes programs for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award grants supporting midwifery programs at higher education institutions and nursing schools. Funds may be used to establish or expand programs and increase the number of training staff. The HRSA may prioritize funding institutions that focus on increasing the number of midwife professionals from underrepresented groups and that promote practicing in areas with limited access to professional health care.