Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025
Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025 - Summary **What it would do:** This bill would create federal grant funding through the Department of Health and Human Services to help healthcare providers expand and improve maternal health services in underserved areas. The funding would support prenatal care (before birth), postnatal care (immediately after birth), and postpartum care (recovery period after birth). The main goal is to reduce health disparities and ensure pregnant people in underserved communities have better access to quality care. **Who it affects:** The grants would go to public hospitals and nonprofit healthcare providers that serve minority communities, low-income populations, or areas with limited medical resources.
Ultimately, pregnant people and new mothers in these underserved communities would benefit from expanded services. **Current status:** The bill (HR 1966) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025This bill establishes Department of Health and Human Services grants for public or nonprofit private health care providers to expand and improve maternal health care services (including prenatal, postnatal, and postpartum care) and reduce disparities in access to such care. Health care providers are eligible to apply if they serve one or more minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.