119 S1599 IS: Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2025
U.S. Senate
2025-05-05
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II
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1599
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 5, 2025
Mr. Luján (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Klobuchar, and Mr. Kelly) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To address maternity care shortages and promote optimal maternity outcomes by expanding educational opportunities for midwives, and for other purposes.
1.

Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2025” or the “Midwives for MOMS Act of 2025”.
2.

Midwifery schools and programs
(a)

In general
Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 760 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 294k) the following:
“760A.

Midwifery schools and programs
(a)

In general
The Secretary may award grants to institutions of higher education (as defined in subsections (a) and (b) of section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965) for the following:
(1)
Direct support of students in an accredited midwifery school or program.
(2)
Establishment or expansion of an accredited midwifery school or program.
(3)
Securing, preparing, or providing support for increasing the number of, qualified preceptors for training the students of an accredited midwifery school or program.
(b)

Special considerations
In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give special consideration to any institution of higher education that—
(1)
agrees to prioritize students who plan to practice in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332; and
(2)
demonstrates a focus on increasing racial and ethnic minority representation in midwifery education.
(c)

Restriction
The Secretary shall not provide any assistance under this section to be used with respect to a midwifery school or program within a school of nursing (as defined in section 801).
(d)

Authorization of appropriations
(1)

In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
(2)

Allocation
Of the amounts made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall use—
(A)
50 percent for subsection (a)(1);
(B)
25 percent for subsection (a)(2); and
(C)
25 percent for subsection (a)(3).”.
(b)

Definitions
(1)

Midwifery school or program
Section 799B(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p(1)(A)) is amended—
(A)
by inserting ““midwifery school or program”,” before “and “school of chiropractic””;
(B)
by inserting “a degree or certificate in midwifery or an equivalent degree or certificate,” before “and a degree of doctor of chiropractic or an equivalent degree”; and
(C)
by striking “any such school” and inserting “any such school or program”.
(2)

Accredited
Section 799B(1)(E) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p(1)(E)) is amended by inserting “or a midwifery school or program,” before “or a graduate program in health administration”.
3.

Nurse-midwives
Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 811 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 296j) the following:
“812.

Midwifery expansion program
(a)

In general
The Secretary may award grants to schools of nursing for the following:
(1)
Direct support of students in an accredited nurse-midwifery school or program.
(2)
Establishment or expansion of an accredited nurse-midwifery school or program.
(3)
Securing, preparing, or providing support for increasing the numbers of, preceptors at clinical training sites to precept students training to become certified nurse-midwives.
(b)

Special considerations
In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give special consideration to any school of nursing that—
(1)
agrees to prioritize students who choose to pursue an advanced education degree in nurse-midwifery to practice in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332; and
(2)
demonstrates a focus on increasing racial and ethnic minority representation in nurse-midwifery education.
(c)

Authorization of appropriations
(1)

In general
To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
(2)

Allocation
Of the amounts made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall use—
(A)
50 percent for subsection (a)(1);
(B)
25 percent for subsection (a)(2); and
(C)
25 percent for subsection (a)(3).”.