Grants to promote equity in maternal health outcomes through digital tools

(a) In general Beginning not later than 1 year after the date of the 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 2027 through 2031.