Bill > HR9602

This bill, the Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act of 2022, is aimed at improving the public health response to address maternal mortality and morbidity during the COVID-19 public health emergency. It provides emergency funding for federal data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during the COVID-19 public health emergency or a future public health emergency. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make publicly available data related to COVID-19 cases, treatments, and outcomes among pregnant and postpartum people, disaggregated by various demographic factors. The bill also directs the Secretary to undertake a public health education campaign and establish a task force to develop federal recommendations on respectful, responsive, and empowering maternity care during public health emergencies. Finally, it requires a GAO report on maternal health and public health emergency preparedness, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.