Social Determinants for Moms Act

Bill: 117-s-851
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Air quality
Child care and development
Child health
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Domestic violence and child abuse
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Family services
Federal officials
Food assistance and relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Housing industry and standards
Housing supply and affordability
Medicaid
Medicare
Mental health
Military personnel and dependents
Minority health
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex and reproductive health
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Transportation safety and security
Water quality
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 

Social Determinants for Moms Act

 
This bill directs various federal departments to address social determinants of maternal health. These are nonclinical factors, such as economic or social factors, that impact maternal health outcomes.
 
First, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must convene a task force to coordinate federal efforts on social determinants of maternal health. HHS must also award grants to
 
 
support access to free child care during prenatal and postpartum appointments; and
 
address social determinants of, and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in, maternal health.
 
 
Second, the Department of Housing and Urban Development must award grants to community-based organizations and government entities to assist pregnant and postpartum individuals with affordable housing. Grantees may use funds to, for example, provide individuals with direct financial assistance.
 
Third, the Department of Transportation must report on transportation barriers that prevent pregnant and postpartum individuals from accessing health care and other services.
 
Fourth, the bill extends to 24 months the postpartum eligibility period for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Currently, WIC eligibility lasts for six months postpartum or one year for those breastfeeding. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must evaluate the impact of this extension. USDA must also establish a grant program to deliver healthy foods and supplies to pregnant and postpartum individuals in food deserts.
 
Last, the Environmental Protection Agency must enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the impact of environmental conditions and contaminants on maternal and infant health outcomes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate