A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
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
This bill, known as the NEST Act, requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to run a program that distributes newborn supply kits to mothers of newborn infants. Under this program, grants or cooperative agreements are awarded to eligible nonprofit entities, community-based organizations, health centers, Tribal organizations, and birthing hospitals. These kits include essential items to help mothers recover from childbirth and care for their newborns, such as diapers, postpartum pads, blood pressure monitors, and educational materials. The bill prioritizes geographic areas with the greatest need, such as rural communities and maternity care deserts, as well as lower-income families. Finally, the bill requires reports to be submitted to Congress and authorizes $5,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 19
- Scored +6
Would children be better off under this?
The bill provides essential newborn supplies such as diapers, wipes, and blankets directly to support infant health and care.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill explicitly prioritizes families with incomes under 185 percent of the poverty line for receiving valuable newborn and postpartum supply kits.
- Scored +6
Would women be better off under this?
The bill provides crucial postpartum recovery items, blood pressure monitors, and health hotlines directly to mothers following childbirth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Mothers and Newborns: Section 399V-8(c) provides newborn supply kits containing essential items like diapers, wipes, postpartum pads, breastfeeding supplies, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors to help mothers recover from childbirth and care for their infants.
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Priority for Communities in Need: Section 399V-8(b)(2)(C) ensures that organizations distributing the kits give priority to geographic areas with the greatest need, such as rural communities, maternity care deserts, and areas with the highest maternal mortality rates.
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Assistance for Low-Income Families: Section 399V-8(b)(2)(D) gives priority for the kits to mothers or newborn infants whose family income does not exceed 185 percent of the poverty line.
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Health Education and Resources: Section 399V-8(c)(2) includes information on hotlines for maternal mental health and breastfeeding, educational materials on low-dose aspirin for hypertension and preeclampsia, and information about federal support programs like WIC.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline potential negative consequences, burdens, or negative impacts 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 children be better off under this? — The bill provides essential newborn supplies such as diapers, wipes, and blankets directly to support infant health and care. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill explicitly prioritizes families with incomes under 185 percent of the poverty line for receiving valuable newborn and postpartum supply kits. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly prioritizes rural communities and maternity care deserts for the distribution of newborn supply kits. Would women be better off under this? — The bill provides crucial postpartum recovery items, blood pressure monitors, and health hotlines directly to mothers following childbirth. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Tribal organizations are explicitly included as eligible entities to receive grants for distributing newborn supply kits in Native communities. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults of childbearing age benefit directly from postpartum recovery supplies and educational resources included in the kits. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Prioritizing areas with high maternal mortality rates helps address severe racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Low-income and underserved Hispanic mothers in maternity care deserts will benefit from prioritized distribution of newborn and postpartum supplies. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Low-income immigrant families who meet the income criteria are eligible to receive newborn supply kits and resource information. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Individuals in this age group who give birth benefit from postpartum recovery supplies and maternal health resources. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class families may also benefit from the distribution of newborn supply kits where geographic priority applies. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban residents living in designated maternity care deserts or low-income areas may benefit from the distribution program.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill establishes a grant program to distribute essential postpartum and newborn care supplies, prioritizing maternity care deserts and underserved communities. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill mandates the inclusion of information on the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline within newborn supply kits. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill provides grant funding for newborn supply kits distributed through health centers and hospitals, supporting maternal and infant health services.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill prioritizes low-income families whose income does not exceed 185 percent of the poverty line for receiving essential newborn and postpartum supplies. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prioritizes distribution in communities with high maternal mortality rates, which disproportionately affect minority populations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill explicitly prioritizes rural communities and maternity care deserts for the distribution of newborn supply kits.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires comprehensive reporting to Congress on program progress, demographic data, and health outcomes related to the distribution of newborn supply kits.
- 9/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska