U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) this week introduced a bipartisan bill that would authorize the use of nationwide data mapping to improve broadband access for maternal telehealth services.
Sen. Fischer is the lead original cosponsor of the Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act, S. 3152, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) to require the Federal Communications Commission to incorporate data on maternal health outcomes into its broadband health maps, according to the text of the bill.
The data mapping would show where high rates of poor maternal health outcomes overlap with a lack of access to broadband services in order to help identify where telehealth services could be most effective, according to Sen. Fischer’s statement.
“For many pregnant women in rural communities, local resources to support maternal health are strained,” Sen. Fischer said. “The closest hospital is often far away, putting the lives of mothers and their babies at risk.
“Telehealth technology can help track the health of mothers who don’t have easy access to routine checkups — but first, we need to ensure there’s adequate internet connectivity,” she added.
The legislation has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.