Bill

Bill > S4769


US S4769

US S4769
Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act of 2020


summary

Introduced
09/30/2020
In Committee
09/30/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

116th Congress

Bill Summary

Addresses maternal health during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency by supporting data collection, development of COVID-19 therapeutics and workplace protections, and other activities. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services must issue guidance for states and local health departments on collecting data on pregnancy and postpartum status in conjunction with COVID-19 tests. In addition, the bill provides funds for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand particular maternal health surveillance programs. The CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must also publish pregnancy and postpartum data related to COVID-19, and the CDC and the Indian Health Service must consult with tribes about collecting this data for tribal populations. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration must collect information about the effects of COVID-19 therapeutics on pregnant and postpartum individuals. The NIH must also ensure that at least one vaccine will be suitable for that population and must support related research. In addition, the Department of Labor must implement an emergency temporary standard to protect employees from workplace exposures to the virus that causes COVID-19 that specifically addresses pregnant and postpartum individuals. Certain regulatory requirements shall not apply in developing this standard. The CDC must also carry out an education campaign about pregnancy and COVID-19 and must establish a task force that addresses maternity care during the COVID-19 emergency. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office must report on maternal health and public health emergency preparedness.

AI Summary

This bill addresses maternal health during the COVID-19 public health emergency by supporting data collection, development of COVID-19 therapeutics and workplace protections, and other activities. Key provisions include: - Providing emergency funding for federal data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during the COVID-19 emergency, including supporting CDC programs to expand maternal health surveillance and establish regional centers of excellence. - Requiring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to publish pregnancy and postpartum data related to COVID-19, and for the CDC to issue guidance to states and local health departments on collecting this data. - Requiring the National Institutes of Health to support the inclusion of pregnant and lactating people in COVID-19 clinical trials and ensure at least one COVID-19 vaccine is suitable for this population. - Directing the Department of Labor to implement an emergency temporary standard to protect pregnant and postpartum employees from workplace exposure to COVID-19. - Requiring the CDC to establish a task force to develop federal recommendations on respectful maternity care during the COVID-19 emergency. - Requiring a GAO report on maternal health and public health emergency preparedness, including analyzing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes by race and ethnicity during the COVID-19 emergency.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (on 09/30/2020)

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