Sec. 701. Maternal mental health equity grant program
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The Secretary of Health and Human Services, 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 a focus on demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes. 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 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 elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth 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 the grant for the following: Establishing or expanding maternity care programs to improve the integration of maternal mental 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 demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes.
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 individuals from demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes.
Raising awareness of warning signs of maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, with a focus on pregnant and postpartum individuals from demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes. 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 demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes; 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 demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes.
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 2030, 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 eligible entity means— a community-based organization serving pregnant and postpartum individuals, including such organizations serving individuals from demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes; 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 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 2027 through 2031.
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Sec. 701
Maternal mental health equity grant program
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