Sec. 5. Grants to promote equity in maternal health outcomes through digital tools
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Beginning not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make grants to eligible entities to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes by increasing access to digital tools related to maternal health care. To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize an eligible entity— in an area with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes or significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes; in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254e ); and that promotes technology that addresses racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. The Secretary may award not more than 1 grant under this section to an eligible entity.
A grant awarded under this section shall be for a 5-year period. The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to an eligible entity on the development, use, evaluation, and post-grant sustainability of digital tools for purposes of promoting equity in maternal health outcomes. An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection
(a)shall submit to the Secretary a report, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes— an evaluation on the effectiveness of grants awarded under this section to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups; recommendations on new grant programs that promote the use of technology to improve such maternal health outcomes; and recommendations with respect to— technology-based privacy and security safeguards in maternal health care; reimbursement rates for maternal telehealth services; the use of digital tools to analyze large data sets to identify potential pregnancy-related complications; barriers that prevent maternity care providers from providing telehealth services across States; the use of consumer digital tools such as mobile phone applications, patient portals, and wearable technologies to improve maternal health outcomes; barriers that prevent access to telehealth services, including a lack of access to reliable, high-speed internet or electronic devices; barriers to data sharing between the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program and maternity care providers, and recommendations for addressing such barriers; and lessons learned from expanded access to telehealth related to maternity care during the COVID–19 public health emergency. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
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Sec. 5
Grants to promote equity in maternal health outcomes through digital tools
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