118 S2026 IS: Maternal Health for Veterans Act U.S. Senate 2023-06-15 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.

II118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2026IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 15, 2023Ms. Duckworth (for herself and Ms. Collins) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo provide support for programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to the coordination of maternity health care, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Maternal Health for Veterans Act.

2.

Support for maternity health care coordination programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

Reports to Congress

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until September 30, 2028, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives, and make publicly available, a report that contains the following:(1)A summary of the activities carried out under the programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to the coordination of maternity health care.(2)Data on the maternal health outcomes of veterans who receive medical care or services furnished at a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs or by a non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care provider who provides such care or services to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including pursuant to the programs specified in paragraph (1).(3)Recommendations by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the maternal health outcomes of veterans, with a particular focus on veterans from demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes.(b)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

Authorization

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028, for the programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to the coordination of maternity health care, including the maternity care coordination program described in Veterans Health Administration Directive 1330.03 (or any successor directive).(2)

Supplement not supplant

Amounts authorized under paragraph (1) are authorized in addition to any other amounts authorized for the coordination of maternity health care for the Department of Veterans Affairs.