Mothers are the foundation of our families and our future. Investing in maternal health ensures that every child has the best start in life, while reducing long-term healthcare costs for all.
The Chamber of Mothers calls on Congress to pass the Momnibus Act. This legislation aims to save moms’ lives by directing multi-agency efforts to improve maternal health for moms across the entire country. The legislation, comprised of 13 evidence-based bills, builds on existing legislation to more comprehensively address the multiple factors contributing to the maternal health crisis in the U.S. It makes critical investments to support community-based organizations, addresses non-medical factors that impact health, grows and diversifies the perinatal workforce, expands access to care for people with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, and advances maternal health research.
Note: The Momnibus has not yet been reintroduced during the 119th Congress.
Additional Maternal Legislation
The Chamber of Mothers also supports the following pieces of legislation that would help address the maternal health crisis.
Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act (S.5330): Creates a Department of Defense (DoD) pilot program to designate pregnancy as a Qualifying Life Event under the TRICARE program, empowering dependents of service members to choose a health care plan that meets their needs during pregnancy.
Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act (H.R.1317/S.575): This bipartisan legislation would increase healthcare access, improve quality of care, and lower costs by removing the remaining barriers imposed by the federal government in the Medicare and Medicaid programs that prevent Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) from practicing the full scope of their education and clinical training to the level that is approved in the state where they practice.
Midwives for MOMS Act (S. 1599): Bipartisan legislation that will increase access to evidence-based and culturally congruent maternity care as provided by certified professional midwives (CPMs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and certified midwives (CMs) by establishing two new funding streams for midwifery education: one in the Title VII Health Professions Training Programs, and one in the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs. Additionally, the bill will prioritize students from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds.
MIDWIVES for Service Members Act (H.R.3202): Bipartisan, cost-neutral bill that establishes a pilot program requiring TRICARE coverage of Certified Midwives (CM) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) in states where they are licensed and regulated the same as Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM).
Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act (H.R.1254/S.380): Bipartisan legislation that will support rural hospitals and prepare doctors to handle obstetric emergencies.
