Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act
Summary
H.R. 5406, the "Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act," aims to provide grants for demonstration projects. These projects will offer education and training for individuals pursuing careers in pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum care. The grants would be administered under the Health Profession Opportunity Grant Program, as outlined in section 2008 of the Social Security Act.
Expected Effects
The Act would establish a grant program to support career pathways in maternal care. This includes doulas and midwives in states that recognize and reimburse their services. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Secretaries of Labor and Education, would oversee the grant awards and project evaluations.
Potential Benefits
- Increased training and job opportunities in maternal care fields.
- Support for low-income individuals to enter healthcare professions.
- Potential improvement in maternal and infant health outcomes.
- Formal recognition and integration of doulas and midwives into healthcare systems.
- Rigorous evaluation of demonstration projects to identify best practices.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited funding of $10 million for fiscal year 2026 may restrict the scope and impact of the program.
- The requirement for state recognition and reimbursement of doulas/midwives may exclude some states.
- Potential administrative overhead in managing and evaluating the grant program.
- The income limit of 138% of the federal poverty level may exclude some individuals who could benefit from the training.
- Success depends on effective collaboration between federal agencies and eligible entities.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the "general Welfare" clause of the Constitution's preamble. It also aligns with Congress's power to appropriate funds for specific purposes, as outlined in Article I, Section 8. The establishment of grant programs falls under the legislative powers granted to Congress.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).