Cassidy, Young propose bipartisan bill to help improve outcomes for new mothers

U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Todd Young (R-IN) on Oct. 26 introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at improving maternal and infant outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women.

Sen. Cassidy sponsored the Connected Maternal Online Monitoring Act, also known as the Connected MOM Act, S. 4859, with original cosponsors Sen. Young and U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Tom Carper (D-DE).

“Mothers and babies dying at the moment of birth are preventable and far too common in Louisiana,” Sen. Cassidy said. “We hope this bill to bring the latest technology preserves the health of mothers and babies to truly make what should be a happy experience, a happy experience.”

If enacted, S. 4859 would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide coverage recommendations for remote devices to check blood pressure, blood glucose and pulse rates, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Cassidy’s office. 

The measure also would require CMS to update state resources, such as Medicaid telehealth toolkits, to correspond with the recommendations provided, the summary says. 

“Indiana has historically had one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the country, with minority communities suffering the most,” said Sen. Young. “I’ve long been working to tackle this crisis and am proud to help introduce the Connected MOM Act.”

Sen. Young added that current research indicates that roughly 60 percent of maternal deaths in the United States can be prevented through patient care, education and timely interventions. “The Connected MOM Act will help improve care and identify potential issues before they become life-threatening,” he said.

The bill was inspired by the Connected Maternity Online Monitoring program established by New Orleans-based Ochsner Health, which provides program participants with equipment for at-home checks for early prevention of any issues and to reduce the number of in-person clinic visits, according to Sen. Cassidy’s office. Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Ochsner Health, has endorsed the bill.