H.R.1966 - Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1966, the Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025, aims to improve maternal health care services. It authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to expand and improve these services in underserved communities. The bill prioritizes entities serving minority, low-income, or medically underserved populations, particularly those led by individuals from those communities.
Expected Effects
The bill would likely lead to increased funding for maternal health care services in underserved communities. This could result in improved access to prenatal, postnatal, and postpartum care. Ultimately, the goal is to improve health outcomes for women and infants and reduce disparities in healthcare access and quality.
Potential Benefits
- Improved maternal health outcomes in underserved communities.
- Increased access to prenatal, postnatal, and postpartum care.
- Reduced disparities in healthcare access and quality for women and infants.
- Support for healthcare providers serving minority and low-income populations.
- Culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare services.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for inefficient use of funds if grants are not properly managed.
- Administrative overhead could reduce the amount of funding directly benefiting patients.
- Limited impact if the authorized appropriations are insufficient to meet the needs of underserved communities.
- Possible challenges in ensuring consistent quality of care across different grant recipients.
- Risk of funds being directed towards politically favored organizations rather than those most in need.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It promotes the health and well-being of a specific segment of the population. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but healthcare is an area where federal and state governments often share responsibilities, especially when addressing disparities and promoting public health.
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).