Sec. 1007. GAO report on maternal health and public health emergency preparedness
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/bill/117/s/346/is/section-1007·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on maternal health and public health emergency preparedness. Such report shall include the information and recommendations described in subsection (b). The report under subsection
(b)shall include the following: A review of prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum experiences of individuals during such public health emergency, including— barriers to accessing pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care during a pandemic; public and private insurance coverage with respect to maternal health care, including telehealth services; to the extent practicable, maternal and infant health outcomes by race and ethnicity (including quality of care, mortality, morbidity, cesarean section rates, preterm birth, prevalence of prenatal and postpartum mental health conditions and substance use disorders); with respect to such health outcomes, the impact of Federal and State policy changes during such public health emergency; contributing factors to population-based disparities in health outcomes, including bias and discrimination toward individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups; and the effect of increased unemployment, paid family leave, changes in health care coverage, and other social determinants of health for pregnant and postpartum individuals during the public health emergency. Recommendations on improving the public health emergency response and preparedness efforts of the Federal Government with respect to maternal health, with a focus on outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, including— improving research, surveillance, and data collection with respect to maternal health; factoring maternal health outcomes and disparities into decisions regarding distribution of resources; improving the distribution of public health funds, data, and information to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations with regard to maternal health during a public health emergency; and improving communications during a public health emergency with— maternity care providers; maternal mental and behavioral health care providers; researchers who specialize in maternal health, maternal mortality, or severe maternal morbidity; individuals who experienced pregnancy or childbirth during the COVID–19 public health emergency; representatives from community-based organizations that address maternal health; and perinatal health workers.