Sec. 2. Maternal mental health equity grant program
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The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall establish a program to award grants to eligible entities to address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders with respect to pregnant and postpartum individuals, with a focus on racial and ethnic minority groups. 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 provide, including how such entity will use funds for activities described in subsection
(d)that are culturally congruent. In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that— is, or will partner with, a community-based organization to address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders described in subsection (a); is operating in an area with high rates of— adverse maternal health outcomes; or significant racial or ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes; and is operating in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254e ). An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use funds for the following: Establishing or expanding maternity care programs to improve the integration of maternal health and behavioral health care services into primary care settings where pregnant individuals regularly receive health care services. Establishing or expanding group prenatal care programs or postpartum care programs. Expanding existing programs that improve maternal mental and behavioral health during the prenatal and postpartum periods, with a focus on individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups. Providing services and support for pregnant and postpartum individuals with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including referrals to addiction treatment centers that offer evidence-based treatment options. Addressing stigma associated with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, with a focus on racial and ethnic minority groups. Raising awareness of warning signs of maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, with a focus on pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups. Establishing or expanding programs to prevent suicide or self-harm among pregnant and postpartum individuals. Offering evidence-aligned programs at freestanding birth centers that provide maternal mental and behavioral health care education, treatments, and services, and other services for individuals throughout the prenatal and postpartum period. Establishing or expanding programs to provide education and training to maternity care providers with respect to— identifying potential warning signs for maternal mental health conditions or substance use disorders in pregnant and postpartum individuals, with a focus on individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups; and in the case where such providers identify such warning signs, offering referrals to mental and behavioral health care professionals. Developing a website, or other source, that includes information on health care providers who treat maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Establishing or expanding programs in communities to improve coordination between maternity care providers and mental and behavioral health care providers who treat maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including through the use of toll-free hotlines. Carrying out other programs aligned with evidence-based practices for addressing maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups. An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection
(a)shall submit annually to the Secretary, and make publicly available, a report on the activities conducted using funds received through a grant under this section. Such reports shall include quantitative and qualitative evaluations of such activities, including the experience of individuals who received health care through such grant. Not later than the end of fiscal year 2024, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes— a summary of the reports received under paragraph (1); an evaluation of the effectiveness of grants awarded under this section; recommendations with respect to expanding coverage of evidence-based screenings and treatments for maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders; and recommendations with respect to ensuring activities described under subsection
(d)continue after the end of a grant period. In this section: The term culturally congruent , with respect to care or maternity care, means care that is in agreement with the preferred cultural values, beliefs, worldview, language, and practices of the health care consumer and other stakeholders. The term eligible entity means— a community-based organization serving pregnant and postpartum individuals, including such organizations serving individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations; a nonprofit or patient advocacy organization with expertise in maternal mental and behavioral health; a maternity care provider; a mental or behavioral health care provider who treats maternal mental health conditions or substance use disorders; a State or local governmental entity, including a State or local public health department; an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 )); and an Urban Indian organization (as such term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act ( 25 U.S.C. 1603 )). The term freestanding birth center has the meaning given that term under section 1905(l) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(1) ). The term maternity care provider means a health care provider who— is a physician, physician assistant, midwife who meets at a minimum the international definition of the midwife and global standards for midwifery education as established by the International Confederation of Midwives, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist; and has a focus on maternal or perinatal health. The terms postpartum and postpartum period refer to the 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy of an individual. The term racial and ethnic minority group has the meaning given such term in section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300u–6(g)(1) ). The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025.
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- 42 USC 300u–6(g)(1)
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Sec. 2
Maternal mental health equity grant program
Cite42 USC 300u–6(g)(1)
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