[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 163 (Monday, September 21, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H4623-H4626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MATERNAL HEALTH QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2020
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4995) to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve
obstetric care and maternal health outcomes, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4995
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Maternal Health Quality
Improvement Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. INNOVATION FOR MATERNAL HEALTH.
Part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 254b et seq.) is amended--
(1) in the section designation of section 330M of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 254c-19) by inserting a period after ``330M''; and
(2) by inserting after section 330M of such Act (42 U.S.C.
254c-19) the following:
``SEC. 330N. INNOVATION FOR MATERNAL HEALTH.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with
experts representing a variety of clinical specialties,
State, Tribal, or local public health officials, researchers,
epidemiologists, statisticians, and community organizations,
shall establish or continue a program to award competitive
grants to eligible entities for the purposes of--
``(1) identifying, developing, or disseminating best
practices to improve maternal health care quality and
outcomes, eliminate preventable maternal mortality and severe
maternal morbidity, and improve infant health outcomes, which
may include--
``(A) information on evidence-based practices to improve
the quality and safety of maternal health care in hospitals
and other health care settings of a State or health care
system, including by addressing topics commonly associated
with health complications or risks related to prenatal care,
labor care, birthing, and postpartum care;
``(B) best practices for improving maternal health care
based on data findings and reviews conducted by a State
maternal mortality review committee that address topics of
relevance to common complications or health risks related to
prenatal care, labor care, birthing, and postpartum care; and
``(C) information on addressing determinants of health that
impact maternal health outcomes for women before, during, and
after pregnancy;
``(2) collaborating with State maternal mortality review
committees to identify issues for the development and
implementation of evidence-based practices to improve
maternal health outcomes and reduce preventable maternal
mortality and severe maternal morbidity;
``(3) providing technical assistance and supporting the
implementation of best practices identified pursuant to
paragraph (1) to entities providing health care services to
pregnant and postpartum women; and
``(4) identifying, developing, and evaluating new models of
care that improve maternal and infant health outcomes, which
may include the integration of community-based services and
clinical care.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible for a grant under
subsection (a), an entity shall--
``(1) submit to the Secretary an application at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require; and
``(2) demonstrate in such application that the entity is
capable of carrying out data-driven maternal safety and
quality improvement initiatives in the areas of obstetrics
and gynecology or maternal health.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this
section, there are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''.
SEC. 3. TRAINING FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by
striking section 763 (42 U.S.C. 294p) and inserting the
following:
``SEC. 763. TRAINING FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
``(a) Grant Program.--The Secretary shall establish a
program to award grants to accredited schools of allopathic
medicine, osteopathic medicine, and nursing, and other health
professional training programs for the training of health
care professionals to reduce and prevent discrimination
(including training related to implicit and explicit biases)
in the provision of health care services related to prenatal
care, labor care, birthing, and postpartum care.
``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under
subsection (a), an entity described in such subsection shall
submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.
``(c) Reporting Requirement.--Each entity awarded a grant
under this section shall periodically submit to the Secretary
a report on the status of activities conducted using the
grant, including a description of the impact of such training
on patient outcomes, as applicable.
``(d) Best Practices.--The Secretary may identify and
disseminate best practices for the training of health care
professionals to reduce and prevent discrimination (including
training related to implicit and explicit biases) in the
provision of health care services related to prenatal care,
labor care, birthing, and postpartum care.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this
section, there are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''.
SEC. 4. STUDY ON TRAINING TO REDUCE AND PREVENT
DISCRIMINATION.
Not later than 2 years after date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, through a
contract with an independent research organization, conduct a
study and make recommendations for accredited schools of
allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, and nursing, and
other health professional training programs, on best
practices related to training to reduce and prevent
discrimination, including training related to implicit and
explicit biases, in the provision of health care services
related to prenatal care, labor care, birthing, and
postpartum care.
SEC. 5. PERINATAL QUALITY COLLABORATIVES.
Section 317K(a)(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 247b-12(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(E)(i) The Secretary, acting through the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in
coordination with other offices and agencies, as appropriate,
shall establish or continue a competitive grant program for
the establishment or support of perinatal quality
collaboratives to improve perinatal care and perinatal health
outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants.
A State, Indian Tribe, or Tribal organization may use funds
received through such grant to--
``(I) support the use of evidence-based or evidence-
informed practices to improve outcomes for maternal and
infant health;
``(II) work with clinical teams; experts; State, local,
and, as appropriate, Tribal public health officials; and
stakeholders, including patients and families, to identify,
develop, or disseminate best practices to improve perinatal
care and outcomes; and
``(III) employ strategies that provide opportunities for
health care professionals and clinical teams to collaborate
across health care settings and disciplines, including
primary care and mental health, as appropriate, to improve
maternal and infant health outcomes, which may include the
use of data to provide timely feedback across hospital and
clinical teams to inform responses, and to provide support
and training to hospital and clinical teams for quality
improvement, as appropriate.
``(ii) To be eligible for a grant under clause (i), an
entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in such
form and manner and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.''.
SEC. 6. INTEGRATED SERVICES FOR PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM
WOMEN.
(a) Grants.--Title III of the Public Health Service Act is
amended by inserting after section 330N of such Act, as added
by section 2, the following:
``SEC. 330O. INTEGRATED SERVICES FOR PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM
WOMEN.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may award grants to
States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations for the
purpose of establishing or operating evidence-based or
innovative, evidence-informed programs to deliver integrated
health care services to pregnant and postpartum women to
optimize the health of women and their infants, including to
reduce adverse maternal health outcomes, pregnancy-related
deaths, and related health disparities (including such
disparities associated with racial and ethnic minority
populations), and, as appropriate, by addressing issues
researched under subsection (b)(2) of section 317K.
``(b) Integrated Services for Pregnant and Postpartum
Women.--
``(1) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
subsection (a), a State, Indian Tribe, or Tribal organization
shall work with relevant stakeholders that coordinate care
(including coordinating resources and referrals for health
care and social services) to develop and carry out the
program, including--
``(A) State, Tribal, and local agencies responsible for
Medicaid, public health, social services, mental health, and
substance use disorder treatment and services;
``(B) health care providers who serve pregnant and
postpartum women; and
``(C) community-based health organizations and health
workers, including providers of home visiting services and
individuals representing communities with disproportionately
high rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal
morbidity, and including individuals representing racial and
ethnic minority populations.
``(2) Terms.--
``(A) Period.--A grant awarded under subsection (a) shall
be made for a period of 5 years. Any supplemental award made
to a grantee under subsection (a) may be made for a period of
less than 5 years.
[[Page H4624]]
``(B) Preference.--In awarding grants under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall--
``(i) give preference to States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal
organizations that have the highest rates of maternal
mortality and severe maternal morbidity relative to other
such States, Indian Tribes, or Tribal organizations,
respectively; and
``(ii) shall consider health disparities related to
maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, including
such disparities associated with racial and ethnic minority
populations.
``(C) Priority.--In awarding grants under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall give priority to applications from up to
15 entities described in subparagraph (B)(i).
``(D) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall require grantees to
evaluate the outcomes of the programs supported under the
grant.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `Indian
Tribe' and `Tribal organization' have the meanings given the
terms `Indian tribe' and `tribal organization', respectively,
in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''.
(b) Report on Grant Outcomes and Dissemination of Best
Practices.--
(1) Report.--Not later than February 1, 2026, the Secretary
of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report that describes--
(A) the outcomes of the activities supported by the grants
awarded under the amendment made by this section on maternal
and child health;
(B) best practices and models of care used by recipients of
grants under such amendment; and
(C) obstacles identified by recipients of grants under such
amendment, and strategies used by such recipients to deliver
care, improve maternal and child health, and reduce health
disparities.
(2) Dissemination of best practices.--Not later than August
1, 2026, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
disseminate information on best practices and models of care
used by recipients of grants under the amendment made by this
section (including best practices and models of care relating
to the reduction of health disparities, including such
disparities associated with racial and ethnic minority
populations, in rates of maternal mortality and severe
maternal morbidity) to relevant stakeholders, which may
include health providers, medical schools, nursing schools,
relevant State, Tribal, and local agencies, and the general
public.
SEC. 7. IMPROVING RURAL MATERNAL AND OBSTETRIC CARE DATA.
(a) Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Activities.--Section
301(e) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241(e)) is
amended by inserting ``, preventable maternal mortality and
severe maternal morbidity,'' after ``delivery''.
(b) Office of Women's Health.--Section 310A(b)(1) of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242s(b)(1)) is amended
by striking ``and sociocultural contexts,'' and inserting
``sociocultural (including among American Indians, Native
Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives), and geographical contexts''.
(c) Safe Motherhood.--Section 317K of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-12) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(A), by inserting ``, including
improving collection of data on race, ethnicity, and other
demographic information'' before the period; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (L), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (M) as subparagraph (N);
and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (L) the following:
``(M) an examination of the relationship between maternal
health and obstetric services in rural areas and outcomes in
delivery and postpartum care; and''.
(d) Office of Research on Women's Health.--Section 486 of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 287d) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by amending paragraph (3) to read as
follows:
``(3) carry out paragraphs (1) and (2) with respect to--
``(A) the aging process in women, with priority given to
menopause; and
``(B) pregnancy, with priority given to deaths related to
preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal
morbidity;''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(4)(A)(iv), by inserting ``, including
preventable maternal morbidity and severe maternal
morbidity'' before the semicolon.
SEC. 8. RURAL OBSTETRIC NETWORK GRANTS.
The Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after
section 330A-1 (42 U.S.C. 254c-1a) the following:
``SEC. 330A-2. RURAL OBSTETRIC NETWORK GRANTS.
``(a) Program Established.--The Secretary shall award
grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to
establish collaborative improvement and innovation networks
(referred to in this section as `rural obstetric networks')
to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce
preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity
by improving maternity care and access to care in rural
areas, frontier areas, maternity care health professional
target areas, or jurisdictions of Indian Tribes and Tribal
organizations.
``(b) Use of Funds.--Grants or cooperative agreements
awarded pursuant to this section shall be used for the
establishment or continuation of collaborative improvement
and innovation networks to improve maternal health in rural
areas by improving infant health and maternal outcomes and
reducing preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal
morbidity. Rural obstetric networks established in accordance
with this section may--
``(1) develop a network to improve coordination and
increase access to maternal health care and assist pregnant
women in the areas described in subsection (a) with accessing
and utilizing maternal and obstetric care, including health
care services related to prenatal care, labor care, birthing,
and postpartum care to improve outcomes in birth and maternal
mortality and morbidity;
``(2) identify and implement evidence-based and sustainable
delivery models for maternal and obstetric care (including
health care services related to prenatal care, labor care,
birthing, and postpartum care for women in the areas
described in subsection (a), including home visiting programs
and culturally appropriate care models that reduce health
disparities;
``(3) develop a model for maternal health care
collaboration between health care settings to improve access
to care in areas described in subsection (a), which may
include the use of telehealth;
``(4) provide training for professionals in health care
settings that do not have specialty maternity care;
``(5) collaborate with academic institutions that can
provide regional expertise and help identify barriers to
providing maternal health care, including strategies for
addressing such barriers; and
``(6) assess and address disparities in infant and maternal
health outcomes, including among racial and ethnic minority
populations and underserved populations in areas described in
subsection (a).
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entities.--The term `eligible entities'
means entities providing maternal health care services in
rural areas, frontier areas, or medically underserved areas,
or to medically underserved populations or Indian Tribes or
Tribal organizations.
``(2) Frontier area.--The term `frontier area' means a
frontier county, as defined in section
1886(d)(3)(E)(iii)(III) of the Social Security Act.
``(3) Indian tribes; tribal organization.--The terms
`Indian Tribe' and `Tribal organization' have the meanings
given the terms `Indian tribe' and `tribal organization',
respectively, in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act.
``(4) Maternity care health professional target area.--The
term `maternity care health professional target area' has the
meaning described in section 332(k)(2).
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''.
SEC. 9. TELEHEALTH NETWORK AND TELEHEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS
GRANT PROGRAMS.
Section 330I of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
254c-14) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)(3), by adding at the end the
following:
``(M) Providers of maternal care, including prenatal, labor
care, birthing, and postpartum care services and entities
operating obstetric care units.''; and
(2) in subsection (h)(1)(B), by inserting ``labor care,
birthing care, postpartum care,'' before ``or prenatal''.
SEC. 10. RURAL MATERNAL AND OBSTETRIC CARE TRAINING
DEMONSTRATION.
Subpart 1 of part E of title VII of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294n et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``SEC. 764. RURAL MATERNAL AND OBSTETRIC CARE TRAINING
DEMONSTRATION.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to
accredited schools of allopathic medicine, osteopathic
medicine, and nursing, and other appropriate health
professional training programs, to establish a training
demonstration program to support--
``(1) training for physicians, medical residents, fellows,
nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, certified
nurse midwives, relevant home visiting workforce
professionals and paraprofessionals, or other professionals
who meet relevant State training and licensing requirements,
as applicable, to provide maternal health care services in
rural community-based settings; and
``(2) developing recommendations for such training
programs.
``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
subsection (a), an entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
``(c) Activities.--
``(1) Training for health care professionals.--A recipient
of a grant under subsection (a)--
``(A) shall use the grant funds to plan, develop, and
operate a training program to provide maternal health care in
rural areas; and
``(B) may use the grant funds to provide additional support
for the administration of the program or to meet the costs of
projects to establish, maintain, or improve faculty
[[Page H4625]]
development, or departments, divisions, or other units
necessary to implement such training.
``(2) Training program requirements.--The recipient of a
grant under subsection (a) shall ensure that training
programs carried out under the grant are evidence-based and
address improving maternal health care in rural areas, and
such programs may include training on topics such as--
``(A) maternal mental health, including perinatal
depression and anxiety;
``(B) substance use disorders;
``(C) social determinants of health that affect individuals
living in rural areas; and
``(D) implicit and explicit bias.
``(d) Evaluation and Report.--
``(1) Evaluation.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall evaluate the
outcomes of the demonstration program under this section.
``(B) Data submission.--Recipients of a grant under
subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary performance
metrics and other related data in order to evaluate the
program for the report described in paragraph (2).
``(2) Report to congress.--Not later than January 1, 2025,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report that includes--
``(A) an analysis of the effects of the demonstration
program under this section on the quality, quantity, and
distribution of maternal health care services, including
health care services related to prenatal care, labor care,
birthing, and postpartum care, and the demographics of the
recipients of those services;
``(B) an analysis of maternal and infant health outcomes
(including quality of care, morbidity, and mortality) before
and after implementation of the program in the communities
served by entities participating in the demonstration
program; and
``(C) recommendations on whether the demonstration program
should be continued.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) and the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 4995.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4995, the Maternal
Health Quality Improvement Act of 2020.
Every 12 hours, an American woman dies of a pregnancy-related
complication. This is a public health crisis, and the Maternal Health
Quality Improvement Act creates robust new programs to meet this need.
This includes improving rural maternal healthcare through the creation
of rural obstetric network grants, as well as expanding the use of
telehealth.
The legislation also promotes innovation in maternal healthcare by
creating a new grant program to develop and disseminate best practices
to improve health quality and outcomes and help eliminate maternal
mortality.
Additionally, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act includes
provisions to address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes by
funding training programs for healthcare professionals, as well as
allowing HHS to disseminate best practices to reduce and prevent
discrimination.
Finally, the legislation authorizes funding for perinatal quality
collaboratives, multi-State networks to improve health outcomes for
pregnant and postpartum women and their infants, as well as creating a
grant program to integrate services and reduce adverse maternal health
outcomes.
Madam Speaker, these robust provisions represent a strong step toward
addressing the ongoing health crisis facing America's pregnant and
postpartum women.
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Representatives Engel, Bucshon,
Torres Small, Latta, Adams, and Stivers, for their tireless work on
this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4995, the Maternal
Health Quality Improvement Act, which was introduced by Representatives
Engel, Bucshon, Torres Small, Latta, Adams, and Stivers.
The legislation authorizes grants for developing and sharing maternal
health best practices and training health professionals.
It also supports the Health Resources and Services Administration's
establishment of rural health networks to reduce maternal and child
mortality rates and reduce inequities in health outcomes amongst
different populations.
It also ensures obstetric care is an eligible service for telehealth
grants.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the American Hospital Association, the
March of Dimes, the American Medical Association, and others for their
support of this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Bucshon).
Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, as a physician and a father of four, I
understand the importance of ensuring the health of mothers during
pregnancy and after the delivery of their newborns. This is a critical
time for both the mother and the child.
Sadly, Indiana has an unacceptably high maternal mortality rate,
ranking third in the country. We can do better.
We must do better in our approach across the entire Nation,
especially in rural America, to use best practices and provide the
necessary resources to stop preventable maternal mortality. The
Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act is a great first step toward
doing just that.
H.R. 4995 includes the Excellence in Maternal Health Act, legislation
I introduced along with my fellow Hoosier, Representative Andre Carson.
This bipartisan legislation will benefit patients and communities
that are currently struggling, like those in my home State of Indiana,
by providing them with the support and the training they so desperately
need.
Madam Speaker, together, we can work to help mothers and their
children achieve better health outcomes. I urge my colleagues to
support H.R. 4995.
Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Dr. Bucshon's leadership
on this bill. I am excited to see this pass the House.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleagues passionately
in the need to take care of our mothers when they are pregnant, the
newborns, and then their postpartum health. This bill is an important
first step, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act of 2019 (H.R. 4995).
This important bill includes my legislation, the Excellence in Maternal
Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 4215), that I introduced last year with my
fellow Hoosier, Rep. Bucshon. l want to thank Rep. Engel for including
my legislation in this package. I urge my House colleagues to pass H.R.
4995 without delay.
Maternal mortality--which occurs when a woman dies during pregnancy
or within one year of delivery--is a nationwide, public health
emergency. The United States has the highest maternal death rate in the
developed world; 26 women die for every 100,000 live birth in our
country. This unacceptably high level of maternal mortality robs our
country of between 700 and 900 women from causes related to pregnancy
and childbirth.
However, this crisis does not affect all states equally. Maternal
mortality is especially devastating in states like Indiana. Our state
has the third highest maternal mortality rate in the country where,
often due to preventable complications, a staggering 43 out of 100,000
women die during or shortly after giving birth.
The maternal mortality crisis also does not affect all mothers
equally; in fact, the racial and ethnic disparities in maternal
mortality are
[[Page H4626]]
extremely stark. Nationwide, Black women are three to four times more
likely to die from maternal health complications than white women. In
Indiana, Black women are 29 percent more likely to die during
childbirth than white women, as 53 black women die per 100,000 live
births versus 41 deaths among white women. Research consistently shows
that disparities in access to quality health care, inadequate health
care training, discrimination and bias, and the lack of high-quality
integrated maternal health care continue to compound existing health
care disparities that produce the disproportionate levels of maternal
mortality among Black mothers.
That's why in August 2019, I introduced the Excellence in Maternal
Health Act of 2019 with my fellow Hoosier, Rep. Bucshon. Our bipartisan
legislation works to improve maternal health access and quality, reduce
racial and ethnic disparities and discrimination in health care
delivery, and create grant programs to implement best practices and
strengthen training for health care providers.
Specifically, our legislation provides $10 million to help develop
and enact best practices to eliminate maternal morality through
improved maternal health access and quality. Additionally, our
legislation provides $25 million over five years to establish a grant
program to train health care professionals on ways to reduce and
prevent racial discrimination in providing prenatal care, labor care,
birthing, and postpartum care. Finally, our legislation provides $15
million in grants to help states deliver integrated health care
services that reduce maternal mortality and related health disparities.
I was pleased that in November 2019, the House Energy and Commerce
Committee included our Carson/Bucshon legislation into Rep. Engel's
larger legislative package, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act
of 2019 and was unanimously approved by the Committee. I urge all of my
House colleagues to now pass H.R. 4995 to implement the programs and
reforms in my legislation that will help end the scourge of preventable
maternal mortality in our country and ensure the birth of a child is a
joyous and safe occasion for families across America.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Stevens). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4995, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________