Bill > S4187

This bill, known as the "Data to Save Moms Act," aims to improve maternal health data collection and quality measures by amending the Public Health Service Act. It provides funding for Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) to enhance community engagement, particularly from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and to address participation barriers for community members. The bill also expands the scope of MMRC reviews to include severe maternal morbidity, deaths related to mental health conditions or substance use disorders during pregnancy or postpartum, and requires consultation with community-based organizations representing groups with elevated maternal health risks. Furthermore, it mandates a review of existing maternal health data collection processes and quality measures by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, involving a wide range of stakeholders, with a focus on identifying and recommending improvements, especially for underserved populations. The bill also authorizes studies on maternal health among American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, and establishes grants for minority-serving institutions to research the maternal health crisis, with specific attention to disparities and potential causes for lower reported mortality rates among Hispanic individuals. Key terms like "pregnancy-associated death" and "pregnancy-related death" are clarified, and the bill authorizes appropriations for these initiatives.