Summary#
This bill, the Data to Save Moms Act, would change how the federal government supports and studies maternal health data. It would give grants to state and tribal maternal mortality review committees to increase community member involvement and diversity. The bill adds review of severe maternal illness and deaths from suicide or overdose up to 1 year after pregnancy. It directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to review current maternal health data collection and quality measures and report recommendations to Congress within 1 year. The bill requires a 3-year study on maternal health for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people and creates a grant program for minority-serving institutions to study maternal health in minority communities. The bill also defines terms like pregnancy-related death, severe maternal morbidity, and postpartum (1 year).
What it means for you#
- Maternal mortality review committees could get federal grants to include more community members and to address participation barriers such as training, transportation, and compensation.
- More kinds of maternal health events could be reviewed, including severe maternal morbidity and some deaths from mental health or substance use causes up to one year after pregnancy.
- Federal agencies would review how maternal health data are collected and how quality of care is measured, and they would make recommendations to improve data, especially data broken down by race, ethnicity, language, and other demographics.
- Tribal communities, minority-serving colleges, and research groups could receive targeted grants and a dedicated study to better understand and address maternal health in AI/AN populations.
Expenses#
- Authorizes $10,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to promote representative community engagement in maternal mortality review committees.
- Requires that at least $1,500,000 of amounts made available under the law be reserved each year for Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Urban Indian organizations.
- Authorizes such sums as may be necessary for the review of maternal health data collection and quality measures for fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
- Authorizes $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for the AI/AN maternal health study.
- Authorizes $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for grants to minority-serving institutions.
- No publicly available information on estimated total cost, budget offsets, or net fiscal impact beyond these authorizations.
Proponents' View#
The bill aims to improve the quality and completeness of maternal health data, increase community and tribal involvement in reviews of maternal deaths and severe illness, and address racial and ethnic disparities. It supports technical assistance, outreach, and training for review committees. It calls for targeted study of AI/AN maternal health and research grants to minority-serving institutions to better understand causes and potential solutions.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.