Grassley, Colleagues Team Up on Bill to Improve Access to Maternal Health Resources

Grassley, Colleagues Team Up on Bill to Improve Access to Maternal Health Resources

The number of births in the U.S. last year was reportedly the lowest since 1979; the fertility rate hit an all-time low.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to introduce the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act. The bill would improve women's access to health care resources during the prenatal, postpartum and early childhood development phases of motherhood.

"New and expectant mothers should have ready access to health care resources. Often, even when the appropriate support exists, it can be difficult to find or get to - especially for women living in rural areas. Our bill addresses these challenges and promotes a pro-mother, pro-family culture by creating an online information hub for moms and improving telehealth capabilities," Grassley said.

"As a mom, I know firsthand that there is no greater blessing in life than our children and understand the types of challenges that women face during their pregnancy journeys and while raising their kids. I'm proud to support women throughout these seasons of motherhood. This legislation is further evidence that you can absolutely be pro-life, pro-woman, and pro-family at the same time. The MOMS Act advances a comprehensive culture of life, grows and strengthens families, and ensures moms have the opportunities and resources needed so they and their children can thrive and live their American Dreams," Brittsaid.

The MOMS Act has garnered support from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Americans United for Life, March for Life Action, the National Right to Life Committee and the Family Policy Alliance.

Additional cosponsors include Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

The MOMS Act would:

• Establish Pregnancy.gov, a federal clearinghouse of resources available to expecting and postpartum moms, as well as those with young children.
  • This clearinghouse would increase access to adoption agencies, pregnancy resource centers and other relevant public and private resources available to pregnant women within their zip code and surrounding areas.
  • As part of Pregnancy.gov, the Department of Health and Human Services would be required to maintain a national list of federal funding opportunities available to non-profit and healthcare entities for pregnancy support.
• Improve access to pre- and post-natal resources through grant programs for:
  • Non-profit entities to support, encourage and assist women in carrying their pregnancies to term, and to care for their babies after birth.
  • Telehealth care providers to purchase necessary medical equipment and technology in rural and other medically underserved areas.
• Require states to apply child support obligations during pregnancy.

Grassley's Related Efforts:

This Congress, Grassley successfully shepherded the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act through the Senate. He co-led a resolution to recognize those who have endured stillbirths, as well as grow awareness of efforts to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy. His Healthy Moms and Babies Actwould improve maternal and child health by delivering high-quality coordinated care, supporting women and babies with 21st century technology and taking other steps to reduce maternal mortality.

Iowa in 2019 received a five-year HRSA grant, which has helped: develop a maternal health task force; improve state-level data surveillance on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity; and execute innovation in maternal health service delivery. The work in Iowa and across other states will help inform best practices.

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