Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act

To provide grants for the conduct of demonstration projects designed to provide education and training for eligible individuals to enter and follow a career pathway in the field of pregnancy or childbirth, under the health profession opportunity grant program under section 2008 of the Social Security Act. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act 2. Grants for demonstration projects to provide career pathways in the field of pregnancy or childbirth Section 2008 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397g (d) Demonstration projects To provide career pathways in the field of pregnancy or childbirth (1) Grant authority The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education, shall award grants in accordance with this subsection to eligible entities to conduct demonstration projects for the purpose of providing education and training for eligible individuals to enter and follow a career pathway in the field of pregnancy or childbirth, in a State that recognizes doulas or midwives as health care providers and that provides payment for services provided by doulas or midwives, as the case may be, under the State plan approved under title XIX. (2) Duration A demonstration project shall be conducted under this subsection for not less than 3 years. (3) Application requirements An applicant seeking a grant under this subsection for a demonstration project shall submit to the Secretary an application for the grant, that includes the following: (A) A description of the partnerships, strategic staff hiring decisions, tailored program activities, or other programmatic elements of the project that are designed to support a strong career pathway in pregnancy, birth, or post-partum services. (B) A demonstration that the State in which the project is to be conducted recognizes and permits doulas and midwives to practice in the State. (C) A demonstration that the applicant has experience working with low-income populations, or a description of the plan of the applicant to work with a partner that has the experience. (4) Evaluations The Secretary shall, by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, conduct rigorous and well-designed evaluations of the demonstration projects for which a grant is made under this section, which shall include identification of successful activities for creating opportunities for developing and sustaining, particularly with respect to low-income individuals and other entry-level workers, a doula-to-midwife workforce career pathway that has accessible entry points, that meets high standards for education, training, certification, and professional development, and that provides increased wages and affordable benefits, including health care coverage, that are responsive to the needs of the workforce. (5) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (i) A local workforce development board established under section 107 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. (ii) A State or territory, a political subdivision of a State or territory, or an agency of a State, territory, or such a political subdivision. (iii) An Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal college or university. (iv) An institution of higher education (as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965). (v) A hospital (as defined in section 1861(e)). (vi) A skilled nursing facility (as defined in section 1819(h)(1)(A)). (vii) A Federally qualified health center (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4)). (viii) A nonprofit organization described in section 501(c)(3) (ix) An entity recognized by a State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization as qualified to train doulas or midwives, if midwives or doulas, as the case may be, are permitted to practice medicine in the State involved. (x) An opioid treatment program (as defined in section 1861(iii)(2)). (B) Eligible individual The term eligible individual (C) Midwife The term midwife (D) Certified midwife The term certified midwife (E) Certified professional midwife The term certified professional midwife (i) is certified by the North American Registry of Midwives to practice midwifery for normal, low-risk pregnancies and childbirths; and (ii) has completed— (I) a midwifery education program accredited by the Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council or any other entity recognized by the Department of Education; or (II) the requirements to obtain a Midwifery Bridge Certificate from the North American Registry of Midwives, and maintains the certification by completing any required continuing education for the certification. (F) Licensed midwife The term licensed midwife (G) Tribally-recognized midwife The term tribally-recognized midwife (6) Appropriation Out of any funds in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022. . 3. Effective date The amendment made by this Act shall take effect on October 1, 2021.

Summary: Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act This bill provides funding for, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award, grants for demonstration projects to train low-income individuals to work in the field of pregnancy or childbirth. Grantees must be located in a state that recognizes doulas or midwives as health care providers and that allows payment for their services in the Medicaid program.