118 HR 7815 IH: Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2024 U.S. House of Representatives 2024-03-22 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7815IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 22, 2024Ms. Waters (for herself, Ms. Underwood, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Barragán, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Norton, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Brown, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Ms. Escobar, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Carson, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. Mullin, Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Trone, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Swalwell, Ms. Adams, and Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants to expand and improve maternal health care services, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2024.

2.

Grants to expand and improve maternal health care services in underserved communities

Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 317K of such Act (247b–12) the following:

317K–1.

Grants to expand and improve maternal health care services in underserved communities

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities— (1)to expand maternal health care services, including prenatal care, postnatal care for infants, and postpartum care for mothers; (2)to improve the quality of such services; (3)to improve health outcomes for women and infants receiving such services; and (4)to reduce disparities in access to care, in the quality of services received, and in health outcomes for women and infants in need of such services. (b)

Eligible entities

In this section, the term eligible entity means a public or nonprofit private health care provider that serves one or more minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities. (c)

Priority

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that, as determined by the Secretary— (1)primarily serve minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities; (2)are led by individuals who have lived, were educated, or currently reside in the communities served; and (3)are geographically located in the communities served. (d)

Conditions for receiving grants

As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall agree— (1)to provide the health care services supported through the grant in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner; and (2)to limit the percentage of grant funds used for administrative expenses to not more than 10 percent. (e)

Application

To seek a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require. (f)

Coordination

The Secretary shall require grantees under this section— (1)to maximize the coordination of activities funded through this section with other federally funded maternal health care activities; and (2)to minimize the duplication of such activities. (g)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The term medically underserved community has the meaning given to such term in section 799B. (2)The terms postnatal and postpartum refer to the period of 12 months following an infant’s birth. (h)

Authorization of appropriations

To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

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