Momnibus Act

What it does

• •Establishes a federal task force convening multiple agencies to develop strategies addressing preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities
• •Extends Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program eligibility to postpartum individuals for one year after pregnancy
• •Authorizes grants for community-based organizations, workforce training and diversification, maternal mental health programs, telehealth expansion, and research on maternal health outcomes
• •Mandates respectful maternity care training for healthcare employees, creates compliance programs, and restricts shackling of incarcerated pregnant individuals

Why it matters

• •Addresses stated preventable maternal deaths and disparities by coordinating across federal agencies and funding both clinical and nonclinical interventions such as social determinants, bias reduction training, and mental health services
• •Expands WIC eligibility for one postpartum year to provide nutritional support during critical recovery period
• •Requires data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes including during public health emergencies and among underrepresented populations such as American Indian and Alaska Native individuals

Who is affected

• •Pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority groups and those experiencing social determinants affecting maternal health
• •Maternity care providers (physicians, midwives, advanced practice nurses, doulas, lactation consultants) and perinatal health workers
• •Incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals, veterans, and individuals experiencing maternal mental health or substance use disorders

What happens next

The bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for consideration.