Walden and Burgess Statement on Bipartisan Bills to Improve Maternal Health

Statement

Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX) released the following statement applauding passage of bipartisan bills to improve maternal health at an Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee markup today.

"These bills represent the longstanding, bipartisan commitment of this committee to improving maternal health. The legislation advanced today will help ensure patients have access to quality maternal health services regardless of their zip code, enhance coverage for pregnant and postpartum women in the Medicaid and SCHIP programs, and bolster the training for health professionals caring for expectant or new mothers. We commend our Republican and Democratic colleagues for their dedication to working across the aisle on this critical issue, and look forward to working together to advance these bills through the full committee," said Walden and Burgess.

Background:

Today the Health Subcommittee advanced the following bills to the full committee

H.R. 4996, Helping MOMS Act, introduced by Energy and Commerce Reps. Burgess (R-TX), Carter (R-GA), Rodgers (R-WA), and Kelly (D-IL): enhances coverage for pregnant and postpartum women in the Medicaid and SCHIP programs by giving states the option of covering pregnant and postpartum women for a year instead of 60 days

H.R. 4995, Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, introduced by Energy and Commerce Reps. Bucshon (R-IN), Latta (R-OH), and Engel (D-NY): combines the provisions of the following bipartisan bills:

H.R. 4215, Excellence in Maternal Health Act, introduced by Energy and Commerce Rep. Bucshon (R-IN): authorizes grants to identify, develop, and disseminate maternal health quality best practices, supports training for health professionals, and authorizes grants for operating innovative evidence-based programs that deliver integrated services to pregnant and postpartum women.
H.R. 4243, Rural MOMS Act, introduced by Energy and Commerce Rep. Latta (R-OH): expands initiatives to address maternal health in rural areas by providing funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish rural obstetric networks for improving outcomes in birth and maternal morbidity.

Source