Des Moines Sun

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) have reintroduced the Healthy Moms and Babies Act to enhance maternal and child health care across the United States. This legislative effort targets the maternal health crisis, particularly impacting rural communities and women of color. Grassley, a former chair of the Senate Finance Committee, continues to work with Hassan on these issues.

The bill aims to improve health outcomes by providing high-quality coordinated care, leveraging modern technology, and reducing maternal mortality rates. According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, maternal mortality rose from 17.4 per 100,000 births in 2018 to 22.3 per 100,000 births in 2022.

Senator Grassley emphasized the need for better support for pregnant mothers and their infants through community-based efforts and advanced technology. "Our bipartisan legislation will enable high-quality coordinated care to our most vulnerable moms," he stated.

Senator Hassan highlighted the urgency of addressing rising maternal mortality rates in the U.S., especially among women of color. "We can and must make pregnancy safer and protect women from preventable deaths," she said.

The Healthy Moms and Babies Act seeks to coordinate comprehensive care focusing on prevention activities, expand telehealth services for rural areas, reduce high-risk pregnancies, including C-sections, and enhance understanding of social determinants affecting pregnant women.

Grassley has long supported initiatives like the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. He co-sponsored legislation that uses Title V funds from the Social Security Act for stillbirth prevention activities.

Earlier this year, Grassley also supported the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act aimed at providing essential resources during prenatal and early childhood development phases.