S.1630 - More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed Act; MOMS Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The "More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed Act" (MOMS Act) aims to amend the Public Health Service Act and the Social Security Act to provide more resources and support for pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and their children. It establishes a federal clearinghouse of resources, improves access to prenatal and postnatal care, and enforces child support obligations for unborn children. The Act also includes provisions to prevent funding from going to entities that perform or promote abortions.
Expected Effects
The MOMS Act is likely to increase access to resources and support services for pregnant women and new mothers, potentially improving maternal and child health outcomes. It may also lead to increased legal and financial obligations for biological fathers, starting from the point of conception. The restrictions on funding for entities involved in abortion services could reduce access to abortion-related care.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to information and resources for pregnant women and new mothers through the pregnancy.gov website.
- Improved prenatal and postnatal telehealth care, especially in rural and underserved areas.
- Potential for increased financial support for mothers through the establishment of child support obligations for unborn children.
- Support for pregnancy support centers and related services.
- Promotion of alternatives to abortion and support for women who choose to carry their pregnancies to term.
Potential Disadvantages
- Restrictions on funding for entities that provide abortion services may limit access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare for some women.
- The focus on child support for unborn children may create legal and logistical challenges related to establishing paternity and enforcing obligations.
- Potential for increased government oversight and regulation of pregnancy-related services.
- The definition of "prohibited entity" could be interpreted broadly, potentially affecting a wide range of organizations.
- Some may argue that the Act promotes a specific ideological viewpoint on abortion and reproductive health.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
Several aspects of the bill raise constitutional considerations. The establishment of pregnancy.gov and related resource provisions likely fall under Congress's power to provide for the general welfare (Article I, Section 8). However, restrictions on funding for entities involved in abortion could be challenged under the First Amendment (freedom of speech and association) and potentially the Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection). The provisions related to child support for unborn children may raise questions regarding due process and equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment, depending on how paternity is established and enforced.
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).