42 U.S.C. § 254c–21 — Innovation for maternal health

(a) In general. Working with experts from many clinical fields, state, Tribal, or local public health officials, researchers, epidemiologists, statisticians, and community organizations, the Secretary must start or continue a program of competitive grants to eligible entities for: (1) finding, developing, or sharing best practices to improve maternal health care quality and outcomes, improve maternal and infant health, and end preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity — which may include (A) information on evidence-based practices to improve the quality and safety of maternal health care in hospitals and other care settings, addressing topics commonly tied to health complications or risks related to prenatal care, labor care, birthing, and postpartum care; (B) best practices based on data findings and reviews from a State maternal mortality review committee that address topics relevant to common complications or health risks tied to prenatal care, labor care, birthing, and postpartum care; and (C) information on the determinants of health that affect maternal health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy; (2) working with State maternal mortality review committees to identify issues for developing and using evidence-based practices to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, consistent with section 247b–12 of this title; (3) giving technical assistance and supporting the use of the best practices identified in (1) by entities that give health care to pregnant and postpartum women; and (4) finding, developing, and evaluating new models of care that improve maternal and infant health outcomes, which may include blending community-based services with clinical care. (b) Eligible entities. To qualify for a grant, an entity must (1) submit an application to the Secretary at the time, in the manner, and with the information the Secretary requires; and (2) show in that application that it can carry out data-driven maternal safety and quality improvement work in obstetrics and gynecology or maternal health. (c) Report. By September 30, 2025, and every 2 years after that, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress on the practices described in subsection (a)(1) and (a)(2). The report must describe how much those practices reduced preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, and whether they improved maternal and infant health. The Secretary must also share information about these practices as appropriate. (d) Authorization of appropriations. Congress authorized $9,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2023 through 2027.