Expand and Improve Maternal Healthcare in Underserved Communities

 

The purpose of this bill is to expand access to safe, high-quality maternal healthcare in underserved areas, reduce

maternal mortality, and ensure that pregnant individuals receive consistent prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care.

This bill aims to make maternal services more accessible, prevent avoidable pregnancy-related complications, and support

healthy childbirth outcomes.

 

Maternal mortality rates in the United States have increased over the past decade, especially in rural and low-income

communities where access to prenatal and delivery services is limited. Many hospitals have closed their labor and

delivery units, forcing pregnant individuals to travel long distances for care, increasing risks of complication.

A lack of postpartum follow-up, transportation barriers, and shortages of trained maternal healthcare providers further

contribute to preventable medical emergencies. This bill is necessary because it addresses a significant public health

problem, ensures that lifesaving healthcare is available to more families, and reinforces statewide maternal safety. The

bill supports public well-being, reduces healthcare costs long-term, and improves birth outcomes.

 

1. “Maternal Healthcare” shall be defined as medical services provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and up to 12

months postpartum.

2. “Maternal Care Facility” shall be defined as any hospital, clinic, or birthing center that provides prenatal,

delivery, or postpartum services.

3. “Underserved Area” shall be defined as any region with limited maternal care access or where patients must travel

over 30 miles to the nearest maternal service provider.

4. “Postpartum Care” shall be defined as medical care, checkups, or mental-health screenings provided after childbirth.

 

1. A designated annual allocation within the Department of Health budget specifically for maternal healthcare expansion.

2. The use of available federal maternal health grants and matching federal programs.

3. Reallocation of unused funds previously assigned to discontinued or inactive state maternal health initiatives.

4. No surplus funds or unclear funding sources shall be used. All funding must be feasible and realistically available

through the Department of Health.

This funding will support:

– Expansion of maternal care clinics

– Reopening labor & delivery units

– Workforce training

– Transportation assistance programs

– Postpartum mental-health services

– Maternal mortality data reporting and review

– Public health education campaigns

 

 

1. The Department of Health shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with all standards set by this bill.

2. Any maternal care facility that knowingly fails to report required maternal health data may be subject to

administrative fines determined by the Department of Health.

3. No criminal penalties shall apply, enforcement will be administrative and handled by appropriate state health

agencies.

 

This Act shall go into effect on January 2027 of the following fiscal year to allow time for budgeting, staffing, and

implementation.