All Roll Calls
Yes: 414 • No: 9
117-s-796117th CongressWALLET
Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021
Sponsored By: Senator Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Became Law
Summary
Improve maternal health outcomes for veterans. The law codifies a VA maternity care coordination program, funds training for community maternity care providers, and mandates a comprehensive GAO report to measure maternal deaths, severe morbidity, infertility, and racial disparities.
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- Pregnant and postpartum veterans gain a formal VA maternity care coordination program that focuses on veteran-specific mental and behavioral health needs and aims to reduce racial and ethnic disparities. It directs attention to homelessness, food insecurity, and other social risks for this group.
- Community maternity care providers who serve veterans must receive training and support to address veteran-unique needs and to improve care coordination with VA facilities and records.
- The Comptroller General must report within two years on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among veterans, including rates, infertility data over five years, veteran-specific causes, disparities, and recommendations to improve access and care.
*Provides $15 million in new appropriations for fiscal year 2022 to fund the VA maternity care coordination program.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More coordinated maternity care for veterans
VA runs a maternity care coordination program. VA trains community maternity providers about veterans’ needs, with a focus on mental and behavioral health tied to service. The law provides $15 million in FY 2022 to support this program, on top of other VA maternity funding. This helps pregnant and postpartum veterans get coordinated care inside and outside VA.
Clear maternal health definitions for veterans
The law defines key maternal health terms. It counts suicide and overdose as maternal deaths when tied to pregnancy or childbirth. Postpartum means the first year after a pregnancy ends. Severe maternal morbidity also includes mental health and substance use conditions linked to pregnancy or birth.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 3/17/2021
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/23/2021
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 10/4/2021
Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
GA • D
Sponsored 10/4/2021
Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 10/5/2021
Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
MI • D
Sponsored 10/5/2021
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 10/7/2021
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 11/16/2021
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 414 • No: 9