A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Moms Matter Act" is designed to address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders through targeted grant programs. It establishes a grant program managed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to fund community-based care, education, and support services. The bill prioritizes funding for entities operating in areas with high rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and health professional shortages. Additionally, it creates workforce grants to grow and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce. The legislation authorizes specific funding appropriations for these programs spanning fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 24
- Scored +9
Would women be better off under this?
The entire bill is dedicated to improving maternal mental health, preventing suicide, and addressing substance use disorders for pregnant and postpartum women.
- Scored +8
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The legislation explicitly establishes grant programs to expand access to maternal mental health care and substance use disorder treatment.
- Scored +7
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The legislation explicitly focuses on demographic groups, such as Black Americans, experiencing elevated rates of maternal mortality.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2(d)(1): This provision allows funds to be used for establishing or expanding maternity care programs that integrate mental and behavioral health care into primary care settings. This is positive because it brings critical mental health support directly to where pregnant individuals regularly receive their medical care.
-
Section 2(d)(4): This provision provides services and support for pregnant and postpartum individuals dealing with mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including referrals to evidence-based addiction treatment centers. This is beneficial for helping mothers find specialized, proven medical care during vulnerable times.
-
Section 2(d)(7): This provision establishes or expands programs specifically aimed at preventing suicide or self-harm among pregnant and postpartum individuals. This is a crucial positive outcome for directly protecting the lives and safety of mothers.
-
Section 3(b)(2): This provision expands schools and training programs and awards scholarships for students seeking to become specialized mental or behavioral health care providers. This is helpful for lowering financial barriers for students and increasing the availability of specialized professionals for mothers.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
The provided text of the bill does not contain specific provisions outlining negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would women be better off under this? — The entire bill is dedicated to improving maternal mental health, preventing suicide, and addressing substance use disorders for pregnant and postpartum women. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly focuses on demographic groups, such as Black Americans, experiencing elevated rates of maternal mortality. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Hispanic populations experiencing maternal health disparities are targeted for prioritized funding and tailored outreach. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The inclusion of Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations ensures benefits for Native American mothers. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Grants prioritize health professional shortage areas and demographic groups facing severe disparities, frequently aiding low-income families. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural areas often constitute health professional shortage areas, making them a primary focus for grant prioritization. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults of childbearing age benefit significantly from enhanced maternal mental health services and support. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Asian American communities facing targeted health disparities may benefit from culturally competent grant programs. Would children be better off under this? — Improving maternal mental health and preventing suicide or severe complications during and after pregnancy directly benefits newborns and children. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Underserved immigrant communities often reside in health professional shortage areas prioritized by the grant programs. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class households benefit from broader availability of integrated maternal mental health care. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban communities experiencing maternal health disparities can benefit from community-based grants. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Adults in older childbearing brackets similarly benefit from expanded maternal care access. Would students be better off under this? — Students entering maternal mental health programs benefit from expanded school capacity and scholarship awards. Would white Americans be better off under this? — White Americans living in health professional shortage areas or targeted regions can also access expanded maternal healthcare services.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The legislation explicitly establishes grant programs to expand access to maternal mental health care and substance use disorder treatment. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Grants target healthcare shortages and maternal health disparities to improve overall perinatal care access. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The bill targets substance use disorders during pregnancy and postpartum periods with evidence-based treatment referrals.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Programs prioritize demographic groups and minority populations experiencing elevated rates of maternal mortality and health disparities. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The legislation directly addresses healthcare outcomes and support systems specific to pregnant and postpartum individuals.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires comprehensive reporting and evaluation of grant activities submitted to Congress and made publicly available. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes new federally-managed grant programs administered through the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill awards scholarships to students training to enter the specialized maternal mental health workforce.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports expanding the maternal mental and behavioral health workforce, creating job training and educational opportunities.
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/4/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 5/18/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire