U.S. Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL) recently proposed a bipartisan bill that would provide expectant and new mothers with preventive resources to help them avoid potential complications during and after pregnancy.
“Ensuring that expectant mothers have access to every tool necessary is vital to supporting maternal health and to our nation’s future,” Rep. Salazar said. “I am proud to reintroduce legislation that would give new and expecting mothers and their children the head-start they deserve with the best technology our country has to offer.”
The congresswoman cosponsored the Connected Maternal Online Monitoring (MOM) Act, H.R. 4977, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL) and fellow cosponsor U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), to identify and address barriers to coverage of remote physiologic devices under state Medicaid programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women, according to the text of the bill.
“Too many women in our country face preventable complications during pregnancy and after childbirth, especially women of color,” said Rep. Frankel. “By giving doctors the tools to monitor moms virtually, we can catch problems early, save lives, and give families the healthy start they deserve.”
Specifically, H.R. 4977 would make it easier for healthcare professionals to use modern technology, including devices and services that allow remote monitoring for conditions like high blood pressure, to check for life-threatening complications during pregnancy and after childbirth.
If enacted, the bill would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide guidance and resources to state Medicaid programs on covering these devices, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Salazar’s staff.
The measure has gained support from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, the American College of Cardiology, the March of Dimes, and the American Telemedicine Association.