119-s958

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 958 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 958

To support the use of technology in maternal health care, and for other 
 purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 March 11 (legislative day, March 10), 2025

Mr. Lujan (for himself and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following bill; 
 which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
 Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To support the use of technology in maternal health care, and for other 
 purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Tech to Save Moms Act''.

SEC. 2. INTEGRATED TELEHEALTH MODELS IN MATERNITY CARE SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--

Section 1115A

    (b)

    (2)
        (B) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1315a

    (b)

    (2)
        (B) ) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
 ``
            (xxviii) Focusing on title XIX, providing 
 for the adoption of and use of telehealth tools 
 that allow for screening, monitoring, and 
 management of common health complications with 
 respect to an individual receiving medical 
 assistance during such individual's pregnancy 
 and for not more than a 1-year period beginning 
 on the last day of the pregnancy.''.

    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection

    (a) shall 
take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. GRANTS TO EXPAND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED COLLABORATIVE 
 LEARNING AND CAPACITY MODELS FOR PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM 
 INDIVIDUALS.

 Title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting 
after 

section 330P (42 U.S.C. 254c-22) the following:

``

SEC. 330Q. EXPANDING CAPACITY FOR MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES.

 ``

    (a) Establishment.--Beginning not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Tech to Save Moms Act, the Secretary shall 
award grants to eligible entities to evaluate, develop, and expand the 
use of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building 
models and improve maternal health outcomes--
 ``

    (1) in health professional shortage areas;
 ``

    (2) in areas with high rates of maternal mortality and 
 severe maternal morbidity;
 ``

    (3) in rural and underserved areas;
 ``

    (4) in areas with significant maternal health 
 disparities; and
 ``

    (5) for medically underserved populations and American 
 Indians and Alaska Natives, including Indian Tribes, Tribal 
 organizations, and Urban Indian organizations.
 ``

    (b) Use of Funds.--
 ``

    (1) Required uses.--Recipients of grants under this 
 section shall use the grants to--
 ``
        (A) train maternal health care providers, 
 students, and other similar professionals through 
 models that include--
 ``
            (i) methods to increase safety and health 
 care quality;
 ``
            (ii) implicit bias, racism, and 
 discrimination;
 ``
            (iii) best practices in screening for 
 and, as needed, evaluating and treating 
 maternal mental health conditions and substance 
 use disorders;
 ``
            (iv) training on best practices in 
 maternity care for pregnant and postpartum 
 individuals during public health emergencies;
 ``
            (v) methods to screen for social 
 determinants of maternal health risks in the 
 prenatal and postpartum; and
 ``
            (vi) the use of remote patient monitoring 
 tools for pregnancy-related complications 
 described in 

section 1115A

    (b)

    (2)
        (B)
            (xxviii) of 
 the Social Security Act;
 ``
        (B) evaluate and collect information on the 
 effect of such models on--
 ``
            (i) access to and quality of care;
 ``
            (ii) outcomes with respect to the health 
 of an individual; and
 ``
            (iii) the experience of individuals who 
 receive pregnancy-related health care;
 ``
            (C) develop qualitative and quantitative measures 
 to identify best practices for the expansion and use of 
 such models;
 ``
            (D) study the effect of such models on patient 
 outcomes and maternity care providers; and
 ``
        (E) conduct any other activity determined by the 
 Secretary.
 ``

    (2) Permissible uses.--Recipients of grants under this 
 section may use grants to support--
 ``
        (A) the use and expansion of technology-enabled 
 collaborative learning and capacity building models, 
 including hardware and software that--
 ``
            (i) enables distance learning and 
 technical support; and
 ``
            (ii) supports the secure exchange of 
 electronic health information; and
 ``
        (B) maternity care providers, students, and other 
 similar professionals in the provision of maternity 
 care through such models.
 ``
            (c) Application.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
 subsection

    (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application, at 
 such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
 the Secretary may require.
 ``

    (2) Assurance.--An application under paragraph

    (1) shall 
 include an assurance that such entity shall collect information 
 on and assess the effect of the use of technology-enabled 
 collaborative learning and capacity building models, including 
 with respect to--
 ``
        (A) maternal health outcomes;
 ``
        (B) access to maternal health care services;
 ``
            (C) quality of maternal health care; and
 ``
            (D) retention of maternity care providers serving 
 areas and populations described in subsection

    (a) .
 ``
            (d) Limitations.--
 ``

    (1) Number.--The Secretary may not award more than 1 
 grant under this section.
 ``

    (2) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall 
 be for a 5-year period.
 ``

    (e) Access to Broadband.--In administering grants under this 
section, the Secretary may coordinate with other agencies to ensure 
that funding opportunities are available to support access to reliable, 
high-speed internet for grantees.
 ``

    (f) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide (either 
directly or by contract) technical assistance to eligible entities, 
including recipients of grants under subsection

    (a) , on the 
development, use, and sustainability of technology-enabled 
collaborative learning and capacity building models to expand access to 
maternal health care services provided by such entities, including--
 ``

    (1) in health professional shortage areas;
 ``

    (2) in areas with high rates of maternal mortality and 
 severe maternal morbidity or significant maternal health 
 disparities;
 ``

    (3) in rural and underserved areas; and
 ``

    (4) for medically underserved populations or American 
 Indians and Alaska Natives.
 ``

    (g) Research and Evaluation.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
experts, shall develop a strategic plan to research and evaluate the 
evidence for technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity 
building models.
 ``

    (h) Reporting.--
 ``

    (1) Eligible entities.--An eligible entity that receives 
 a grant under subsection

    (a) shall submit to the Secretary a 
 report, at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
 information as the Secretary may require.
 ``

    (2) Secretary.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
 enactment of the Tech to Save Moms Act, the Secretary shall 
 submit to the Congress, and make available on the website of 
 the Department of Health and Human Services, a report that 
 includes--
 ``
        (A) a description of grants awarded under 
 subsection

    (a) and the purpose and amounts of such 
 grants;
 ``
        (B) a summary of--
 ``
            (i) the evaluations conducted under 
 subsection

    (b)

    (1)
        (B) ;
 ``
            (ii) any technical assistance provided 
 under subsection

    (f) ; and
 ``
            (iii) the activities conducted under 
 subsection

    (a) ; and
 ``
            (C) a description of any significant findings 
 with respect to--
 ``
            (i) patient outcomes; and
 ``
            (ii) best practices for expanding, using, 
 or evaluating technology-enabled collaborative 
 learning and capacity building models.
 ``
            (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2030.
 ``

    (j) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Eligible entity.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term `eligible entity' means 
 an entity that provides, or supports the provision of, 
 maternal health care services or other evidence-based 
 services for pregnant and postpartum individuals--
 ``
            (i) in health professional shortage 
 areas;
 ``
            (ii) in rural or underserved areas;
 ``
            (iii) in areas with high rates of adverse 
 maternal health outcomes or significant racial 
 and ethnic disparities in maternal health 
 outcomes; and
 ``
            (iv) who are--
 ``
            (I) members of medically 
 underserved populations; or
 ``
            (II) American Indians and Alaska 
 Natives, including Indian Tribes, 
 Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian 
 organizations.
 ``
        (B) Inclusions.--An eligible entity may include 
 entities that lead, or are capable of leading a 
 technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity 
 building model.
 ``

    (2) Health professional shortage area.--The term `health 
 professional shortage area' means a health professional 
 shortage area designated under 

section 332.
 ``

    (3) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the 
 meaning given such term in 

section 4 of the Indian Self-
 Determination and Education Assistance Act.
 ``

    (4) Maternal mortality.--The term `maternal mortality' 
 means a death occurring during or within 1-year period after 
 pregnancy caused by pregnancy-related or childbirth 
 complications, including a suicide, overdose, or other death 
 resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder 
 attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth 
 complications.
 ``

    (5) Medically underserved population.--The term 
 `medically underserved population' has the meaning given such 
 term in 

section 330

    (b)

    (3) .
 ``

    (6) Postpartum.--The term `postpartum' means the 1-year 
 period beginning on the last date of an individual's pregnancy.
 ``

    (7) Severe maternal morbidity.--The term `severe maternal 
 morbidity' means a health condition, including a mental health 
 or substance use disorder, attributed to or aggravated by 
 pregnancy or childbirth that results in significant short-term 
 or long-term consequences to the health of the individual who 
 was pregnant.
 ``

    (8) Technology-enabled collaborative learning and 
 capacity building model.--The term `technology-enabled 
 collaborative learning and capacity building model' means a 
 distance health education model that connects health care 
 professionals, and other specialists, through simultaneous 
 interactive video conferencing for the purpose of facilitating 
 case-based learning, disseminating best practices, and 
 evaluating outcomes in the context of maternal health care.
 ``

    (9) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization' 
 has the meaning given such term in 

section 4 of the Indian 
 Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
 ``

    (10) Urban indian organization.--The term `Urban Indian 
 organization' has the meaning given such term in 

section 4 of 
 the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.''.

SEC. 4. GRANTS TO PROMOTE EQUITY IN MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES THROUGH 
 DIGITAL TOOLS.

    (a) In General.--Beginning not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in 
this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall make grants to 
eligible entities to reduce maternal health disparities by increasing 
access to digital tools related to maternal health care, including 
provider-facing technologies, such as early warning systems and 
clinical decision support mechanisms.

    (b) Applications.--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.
            (c) Prioritization.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
Secretary shall prioritize an eligible entity--

    (1) in an area with elevated rates of maternal mortality, 
 severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or 
 other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes;

    (2) in a health professional shortage area designated under 
 

section 332 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e) 
 or a rural or underserved area; and

    (3) that promotes technology that addresses maternal health 
 disparities.
            (d) Limitations.--

    (1) Number.--The Secretary may award not more than 1 grant 
 under this section.

    (2) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall be 
 for a 5-year period.

    (e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide technical 
assistance to an eligible entity on the development, use, evaluation, 
and postgrant sustainability of digital tools for purposes of promoting 
equity in maternal health outcomes.

    (f) Reporting.--

    (1) Eligible entities.--An eligible entity that receives a 
 grant under subsection

    (a) shall submit to the Secretary a 
 report, at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
 information as the Secretary may require.

    (2) Secretary.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
 the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
 Congress a report that includes--
        (A) an evaluation on the effectiveness of grants 
 awarded under this section to improve maternal health 
 outcomes, particularly for pregnant and postpartum 
 individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups;
        (B) recommendations on new grant programs that 
 promote the use of technology to improve such maternal 
 health outcomes; and
            (C) recommendations with respect to--
            (i) technology-based privacy and security 
 safeguards in maternal health care;
            (ii) reimbursement rates for maternal 
 telehealth services;
            (iii) the use of digital tools to analyze 
 large data sets to identify potential 
 pregnancy-related complications;
            (iv) barriers that prevent maternity care 
 providers from providing telehealth services 
 across States;
            (v) the use of consumer digital tools such 
 as mobile phone applications, patient portals, 
 and wearable technologies to improve maternal 
 health outcomes;
            (vi) barriers that prevent access to 
 telehealth services, including a lack of access 
 to reliable, high-speed internet or electronic 
 devices;
            (vii) barriers to data sharing between the 
 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for 
 Women, Infants, and Children program and 
 maternity care providers, and recommendations 
 for addressing such barriers; and
            (viii) lessons learned from expanded access 
 to telehealth related to maternity care during 
 the COVID-19 public health emergency.

    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2030.

SEC. 5. REPORT ON THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN MATERNITY CARE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall seek to 
enter an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine (referred to in this section as the 
``National Academies'') under which the National Academies shall 
conduct a study on the use of technology and patient monitoring devices 
in maternity care.

    (b) Content.--The agreement entered into pursuant to subsection

    (a) shall provide for the study of the following:

    (1) The use of innovative technology (including artificial 
 intelligence) in maternal health care, including the extent to 
 which such technology has affected racial or ethnic biases in 
 maternal health care.

    (2) The use of patient monitoring devices (including pulse 
 oximeter devices) in maternal health care, including the extent 
 to which such devices have affected racial or ethnic biases in 
 maternal health care.

    (3) Best practices for reducing and preventing racial or 
 ethnic biases in the use of innovative technology and patient 
 monitoring devices in maternity care.

    (4) Best practices in the use of innovative technology and 
 patient monitoring devices for pregnant and postpartum 
 individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups.

    (5) Best practices with respect to privacy and security 
 safeguards in such use.
            (c) Report.--The agreement under subsection

    (a) shall direct the 
National Academies to complete the study under subsection

    (b) , and 
submit to Congress a report on the results of the study, not later than 
24 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
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