Protecting Moms and Babies Act

Summary#

This bill would create programs and actions to reduce harms from climate change for pregnant people, people who were pregnant in the past year, and children under age 3. Key parts include:

  • A competitive grant program (up to 10 awards) for local consortia to identify climate risks and provide services and supports to vulnerable individuals. Grants must target areas with high climate risk or poor maternal and infant health, and cannot serve the same county as another grantee. Allowed uses include training health workers, hiring and supporting perinatal health workers (such as doulas and community health workers), collecting and sharing local risk data, providing air conditioners, weatherization, filtration, household appliances, direct financial help, housing and evacuation assistance, transportation, cooling shelter access, and mental health counseling. Grants are disbursed over 4 fiscal years.
  • A competitive grant program for health profession schools to add training and curriculum on identifying and addressing climate-related risks for pregnant people and those planning pregnancy. Eligible programs include medical schools, nursing schools, midwifery programs, residencies, and similar programs.
  • A National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consortium on Birth and Climate Change Research to coordinate research, set research priorities, identify data gaps, and publish annual reports.
  • A CDC-led strategy to map and designate areas with high climate-related risk for adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. The strategy must use environmental, health, socioeconomic, and demographic data, include public notice and at least 90 days for comment, and be published within 18 months.

What it means for you#

  • Pregnant people, those recently pregnant, and children under 3 could get new local services and supports if their area wins a grant under the program.
  • Local health providers, hospitals, birth centers, and perinatal workers could receive training and funds to identify and respond to climate risks.
  • Health profession students and clinicians could receive new curriculum and training on climate risks in pregnancy and counseling patients.
  • Community groups, county governments, and local public health agencies can join consortia to apply for funding.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $100,000,000 for the local grant program (section 3) for fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
  • The bill authorizes $5,000,000 for the health profession school grant program (section 4) for fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
  • Grants under section 3 are to be disbursed over 4 fiscal years.
  • No publicly available information in the bill text about total costs for the NIH Consortium, the CDC strategy development, or administrative costs beyond the specific authorized amounts above.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.