What does Preamble of Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act do?

This bill authorizes appropriations for data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies. The bill's stated purpose is to address maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act.

What does FUNDING FOR DATA COLLECTION, SURVEILLANCE, AND RESEARCH ON of Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act do?

This section authorizes appropriations totaling $180,000,000 to support data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies and infectious diseases. Funding is allocated to four programs within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies program receives $100,000,000 to provide guidance and support to families and healthcare providers, and to establish regional centers of excellence. The Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) program receives $30,000,000 to expand partnerships with states and Indian Tribes and provide technical assistance. The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) receives $45,000,000 to create a supplemental survey, add questions about respectful maternity care, and transition to an electronic platform. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development receives $15,000,000 to conduct or support research on interventions to mitigate the effects of public health emergencies on maternal and infant health.

What does PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY MATERNAL HEALTH DATA COLLECTION AND of Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act do?

This section mandates the public availability of data related to maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies. The data to be collected includes diagnostic testing, confirmed cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and other health outcomes related to infectious disease outbreaks among pregnant and postpartum individuals. Data must be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, primary language, geography, socioeconomic status, and other relevant factors. The Secretary is required to consult with Indian Tribes and Urban Indian organizations regarding data collection and guidance. Data updates are required at least monthly during public health emergencies and within one month after the emergency ends. The Secretary must take steps to protect individual privacy, ensuring data is de-identified and consistent with applicable privacy laws. Within 30 days of a public health emergency declaration, the Secretary must issue guidance to states and local health departments regarding data collection, including demographic information from laboratories. The guidance must include tribally developed best practices and aim to reduce misclassification of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

What does PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICATION REGARDING MATERNAL CARE DURING of Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act do?

This section directs the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct public health education campaigns during public health emergencies. These campaigns aim to provide accurate, evidence-based information on maternal and infant health risks. The information is intended for pregnant and postpartum individuals, their employers, and their health care providers. The campaigns should specifically focus on reaching pregnant and postpartum individuals in underserved communities.

What does TASK FORCE ON BIRTHING EXPERIENCE AND SAFE, RESPECTFUL, of Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act do?

This section establishes a Task Force on Birthing Experience and Safe, Respectful, Responsive, and Empowering Maternity Care During Public Health Emergencies. The Task Force will develop and publicly post Federal recommendations regarding respectful, responsive, and empowering maternity care, including safe birth care and postpartum care, during public health emergencies. These recommendations will focus on improving maternal health outcomes, particularly for individuals from demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality or adverse perinatal outcomes. The recommendations address a wide range of topics, including telehealth maternity care, specialized care for high-risk pregnancies, diagnostic testing, birthing options with chosen companions, newborn separation and breast milk feeding related to maternal infection, and support for perinatal health workers and doulas. The Task Force will also address mental and behavioral health conditions, intimate partner violence, hospital capacity concerns, child care access, racism and bias in maternity care, and the needs of undocumented, uninsured, and underinsured pregnant individuals. The Task Force must consider existing State and other programs and identify policies to discontinue or continue after a public health emergency abates. The Task Force will be comprised of representatives from various federal agencies, state and tribal public health officials, community-based organizations, maternity care providers, patients, and independent experts.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Culturally and linguistically congruent” care means care aligned with the values, beliefs, language, and practices of the consumer and stakeholders. “Maternal mortality” includes deaths during or within one year after pregnancy related to childbirth complications, including suicide or overdose. A “perinatal health worker” is a nonclinical worker focused on maternal or perinatal health, including doulas, community health workers, and lactation educators. The “postpartum period” is defined as the one-year period following the last day of pregnancy. A “public health emergency” is a declaration under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act. “Racial and ethnic minority group” has the meaning defined in section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act. “Respectful maternity care” involves care that is culturally and linguistically congruent, maintains dignity and privacy, ensures freedom from harm, and enables informed choice. “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. “Severe maternal morbidity” includes health conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders, resulting from pregnancy or childbirth with significant consequences.

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Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act

Last updated: 5/18/2026 · Introduced: 5/18/2026

Author: Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill authorizes $180 million in funding for the CDC and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to improve data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies.
It mandates the public availability of disaggregated data on maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies, ensuring privacy protections and consultation with Indian Tribes.
The bill directs the CDC to conduct public health education campaigns to provide accurate information on maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies, particularly targeting underserved communities.
It establishes a Task Force to develop federal recommendations for respectful, responsive, and empowering maternity care during public health emergencies, addressing issues like telehealth, mental health, and disparities.
The legislation defines key terms related to maternal health, including culturally and linguistically congruent care, respectful maternity care, and the postpartum period, to ensure consistent understanding and implementation.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 7973(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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