Newhouse, Latta introduce bipartisan bill to improve maternity care in rural areas

U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Bob Latta (R-OH) on Sept. 9 introduced bipartisan legislation to end maternity care deserts by improving obstetric care in rural areas across the United States.

“The rising number of women dying due to pregnancy-related complications is alarming and heartbreaking — and largely preventable,” Rep. Latta said. “With this important legislation, we’re utilizing telehealth, training and reporting to better understand the root causes and help bring medical care to women when they need it most.”

Reps. Newhouse and Latta cosponsored the Rural Maternal and Obstetric Modernization of Services (MOMS) Act, H.R. 4243, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) to address maternal mortality and morbidity rates by expanding access to healthcare services for pregnant women and new mothers living in remote areas. U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) is among the other bill cosponsors.

“The Rural MOMS Act will expand data collection and telehealth programs for rural providers to help deliver quality care and improve outcomes for expecting mothers and families in central Washington and those in rural areas across the nation,” said Rep. Newhouse.

If enacted, H.R. 4243 would require the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to coordinate maternal mortality and morbidity efforts; report on women’s health conditions based on sociocultural and geographic contexts; and highlight research on pregnancy-related deaths.

Additionally, among numerous provisions, H.R. 4243 would award Rural Obstetric Network Grants to help establish regional innovation networks to address maternal mortality and morbidity rates, and expand existing Federal Telehealth Grant Programs to include birth and postnatal services as part of telehealth networks.

“Rural residents and minorities, including Native American women, have an alarmingly high maternal mortality rate,” Rep. Newhouse said. “By creating rural obstetric networks and new training for health professionals, we can empower our maternal health systems to adapt to best meet the needs of these communities.”

H.R. 4243 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.