Bill > S4552

This bill, known as the Moms Matter Act, aims to improve maternal mental health and address substance use disorders by establishing a grant program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This program will award funds to eligible entities, such as community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and government entities, to expand maternity care, integrate mental health services into prenatal and postpartum care, provide direct support and referrals for pregnant and postpartum individuals with mental health or substance use issues, raise awareness of warning signs, and establish programs to prevent suicide or self-harm. The bill also prioritizes grants for entities serving populations with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity (serious health conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), or other adverse outcomes, and those operating in health professional shortage areas. Additionally, the bill creates a separate grant program to grow and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce by supporting educational programs and offering scholarships, with a focus on recruiting and retaining individuals from minority and underserved populations, and ensuring training on bias and racism. Both grant programs require reporting on their activities and outcomes, and the bill authorizes appropriations for these initiatives.