H.R. 8317

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8317 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8317

To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to evaluate, 
develop, and expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative 
learning and capacity building models to improve maternal health 
outcomes, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 15, 2026

Ms. Williams of Georgia (for herself, Ms. Underwood, Mrs. Hinson, Mr. 
Joyce of Ohio, Ms. Adams, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Ms. 
Clarke of New York, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. 
Figures, and Ms. Sewell) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to evaluate, 
develop, and expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative 
learning and capacity building models to improve maternal health 
outcomes, 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 the 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 this 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);
``(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 this section, 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 2027 through 2031.
``(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 the 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 
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.

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 Act 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 this section, and 
transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study, not later 
than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Maternal mortality.--The term ``maternal mortality'' 
means a death occurring during or within a 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-related or childbirth 
complications.
(2) Maternity care provider.--The term ``maternity care 
provider'' means a health care provider who--
(A) is a physician, a physician assistant, a 
midwife who meets, at a minimum, the international 
definition of a midwife and global standards for 
midwifery education as established by the International 
Confederation of Midwives, an advanced practice 
registered nurse, a doula accredited by a State to 
receive reimbursement for doula services under a State 
plan (or a waiver of such plan) under title XIX of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or a 
lactation consultant certified by the International 
Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners; and
(B) has a focus on maternal or perinatal health.
(3) Postpartum.--The term ``postpartum'' refers to the 1-
year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy of an 
individual.
(4) Racial and ethnic minority group.--The term ``racial 
and ethnic minority group'' has the meaning given such term in 
section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
300u-6(g)(1)).
(5) Severe maternal morbidity.--The term ``severe maternal 
morbidity'' means a health condition, including mental health 
conditions and substance use disorders, 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.
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