42 U.S.C. § 254c–22 — Integrated services for pregnant and postpartum women

(a) In general. The Secretary may award grants to establish or operate evidence-based, or innovative and evidence-informed, programs that deliver integrated health care services to pregnant and postpartum women. The goal is to improve the health of women and their infants — including reducing adverse maternal health outcomes, pregnancy-related deaths, and related health disparities (including disparities tied to racial and ethnic minority populations) — and, as appropriate, to address issues researched under section 247b–12(b)(2) of this title. (b) Integrated services for pregnant and postpartum women. (1) Eligibility. To be eligible for a grant, a State, Indian Tribe, or Tribal organization (as those terms are defined in section 5304 of title 25) must work with relevant stakeholders who coordinate care to develop and carry out the program, including: (A) State, Tribal, and local agencies responsible for Medicaid, public health, social services, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment and services; (B) health care providers who serve pregnant and postpartum women; and (C) community-based health organizations and health workers, including providers of home visiting services and individuals representing communities with disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, including those representing racial and ethnic minority populations. (2) Terms. (A) Period. A grant is made for a period of 5 years. Any supplemental award may be made for a period of less than 5 years. (B) Priorities. In awarding grants, the Secretary must (i) give priority to States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations that have the highest rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity relative to other such States, Indian Tribes, or Tribal organizations, respectively; and (ii) consider health disparities related to maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, including disparities associated with racial and ethnic minority populations. (C) Evaluation. The Secretary must require grantees to evaluate the outcomes of the programs supported under the grant. (c) Authorization of appropriations. Congress authorized $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2023 through 2027.