,i #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hcag ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,april #ae1 #bjbf,ms4 ,williams of ,georgia 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,underwood1 ,mrs4 ,hinson1 ,mr4 ,joyce of ,ohio1 ,ms4 ,adams1 ,mr4 ,krishnamoorthi1 ,ms4 ,johnson of ,texas1 ,ms4 ,clarke of ,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,moulton1 ,mr4 ,cohen1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,mrs4 ,hayes1 ,mr4 ,figures1 and ,ms4 ,sewell7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,public ,health ,service ,act to authorize grants to evaluate1 develop1 and expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models to improve maternal health outcomes1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,tech to ,save ,moms ,act4 #b4 ,integrated telehealth models in maternity care services 7a7 ,in general ,section #aaae;,a7b77#b77;,b7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acae;a7b77#b77;,b77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7xxviii7 ,focusing on title ,,xix1 providing for the adoption of and use of telehealth tools that allow for screening1 monitoring1 and management of common health complications with respect to an individual receiving medical assistance during such individual's pregnancy and for not more than a #a-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall take effect #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #c4 ,grants to expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity models for pregnant and postpartum individuals ,title ,,iii of the ,public ,health ,service ,act is amended by inserting after section #ccj,p 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;c-#bb7 the following3 #ccj,q4 ,expanding capacity for maternal health outcomes 7a7 ,establishment ,beginning not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to evaluate1 develop1 and expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models and improve maternal health outcomes-- 7#a7 in health professional shortage areas2 7#b7 in areas with high rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity2 7#c7 in rural and underserved areas2 7#d7 in areas with significant maternal health disparities2 and 7#e7 for medically underserved populations and ,american ,indians and ,alaska ,natives1 including ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 and ,urban ,indian organizations4 7b7 ,use of ,funds 7#a7 ,required uses ,recipients of grants under this section shall use the grants to-- 7,a7 train maternal health care providers1 students1 and other similar professionals through models that include-- 7i7 methods to increase safety and health care quality2 7ii7 implicit bias1 racism1 and discrimination2 7iii7 best practices in screening for and1 as needed1 evaluating and treating maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders2 7iv7 training on best practices in maternity care for pregnant and postpartum individuals during public health emergencies2 7v7 methods to screen for social determinants of maternal health risks in the prenatal and postpartum2 and 7vi7 the use of remote patient monitoring tools for pregnancy-related complications described in section #aaae;,a7b77#b77;,b77xxviii72 7,b7 evaluate and collect information on the effect of such models on-- 7i7 access to and quality of care2 7ii7 outcomes with respect to the health of an individual2 and 7iii7 the experience of individuals who receive pregnancy-related health care2 7,c7 develop qualitative and quantitative measures to identify best practices for the expansion and use of such models2 7,d7 study the effect of such models on patient outcomes and maternity care providers2 and 7,e7 conduct any other activity determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,permissible uses ,recipients of grants under this section may use grants to support-- 7,a7 the use and expansion of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models1 including hardware and software that-- 7i7 enables distance learning and technical support2 and 7ii7 supports the secure exchange of electronic health information2 and 7,b7 maternity care providers1 students1 and other similar professionals in the provision of maternity care through such models4 7c7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity seeking a grant under subsection 7a7 shall submit to the ,secretary an application1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,assurance ,an application under paragraph 7#a7 shall include an assurance that such entity shall collect information on and assess the effect of the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models1 including with respect to-- 7,a7 maternal health outcomes2 7,b7 access to maternal health care services2 7,c7 quality of maternal health care2 and 7,d7 retention of maternity care providers serving areas and populations described in subsection 7a74 7d7 ,limitations 7#a7 ,number ,the ,secretary may not award more than #a grant under this section4 7#b7 ,duration ,a grant awarded under this section shall be for a #e-year period4 7e7 ,access to broadband ,in administering grants under this section1 the ,secretary may coordinate with other agencies to ensure that funding opportunities are available to support access to reliable1 high-speed internet for grantees4 7f7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall provide 7either directly or by contract7 technical assistance to eligible entities1 including recipients of grants under subsection 7a71 on the development1 use1 and sustainability of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models to expand access to maternal health care services provided by such entities1 including-- 7#a7 in health professional shortage areas2 7#b7 in areas with high rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity or significant maternal health disparities2 7#c7 in rural and underserved areas2 and 7#d7 for medically underserved populations or ,american ,indians and ,alaska ,natives4 7g7 ,research and evaluation ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with experts1 shall develop a strategic plan to research and evaluate the evidence for technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models4 7h7 ,reporting 7#a7 ,eligible entities ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection 7a7 shall submit to the ,secretary a report1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,secretary ,not later than #d years after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,congress1 and make available on the website of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 a report that includes-- 7,a7 a description of grants awarded under subsection 7a7 and the purpose and amounts of such grants2 7,b7 a summary of-- 7i7 the evaluations conducted under subsection 7b77#a77;,b72 7ii7 any technical assistance provided under subsection 7f72 and 7iii7 the activities conducted under subsection 7a72 and 7,c7 a description of any significant findings with respect to-- 7i7 patient outcomes2 and 7ii7 best practices for expanding1 using1 or evaluating technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models4 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section1 #f1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 7j7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity 7,a7 ,in general ,the term eligible entity means an entity that provides1 or supports the provision of1 maternal health care services or other evidence-based services for pregnant and postpartum individuals-- 7i7 in health professional shortage areas2 7ii7 in rural or underserved areas2 7iii7 in areas with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes or significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes2 and 7iv7 who are-- 7,i7 members of medically underserved populations2 or 7,,ii7 ,american ,indians and ,alaska ,natives1 including ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 and ,urban ,indian organizations4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,an eligible entity may include entities that lead1 or are capable of leading a technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model4 7#b7 ,health professional shortage area ,the term health professional shortage area means a health professional shortage area designated under section #ccb4 7#c7 ,indian ,tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given such term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act4 7#d7 ,maternal mortality ,the term maternal mortality means a death occurring during or within the #a-year period after pregnancy caused by pregnancy-related or childbirth complications1 including a suicide1 overdose1 or other death resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth complications4 7#e7 ,medically underserved population ,the term medically underserved population has the meaning given such term in section #ccj7;b77#c74 7#f7 ,postpartum ,the term postpartum means the #a-year period beginning on the last date of an individual's pregnancy4 7#g7 ,severe maternal morbidity ,the term severe maternal morbidity means a health condition1 including a mental health or substance use disorder1 attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth that results in significant short-term or long-term consequences to the health of the individual who was pregnant4 7#h7 ,technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model ,the term technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model means a distance health education model that connects health care professionals1 and other specialists1 through simultaneous interactive video conferencing for the purpose of facilitating case-based learning1 disseminating best practices1 and evaluating outcomes in the context of maternal health care4 7#i7 ,tribal organization ,the term ,tribal organization has the meaning given such term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act4 7#aj7 ,urban ,indian organization ,the term ,urban ,indian organization has the meaning given such term in section #d of the ,indian ,health ,care ,improvement ,act4 4 #d4 ,grants to promote equity in maternal health outcomes through digital tools 7a7 ,in general ,beginning not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services 7in this section referred to as the ,secretary7 shall make grants to eligible entities to reduce maternal health disparities by increasing access to digital tools related to maternal health care1 including provider-facing technologies1 such as early warning systems and clinical decision support mechanisms4 7b7 ,applications ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7c7 ,prioritization ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall prioritize an eligible entity-- 7#a7 in an area with elevated rates of maternal mortality1 severe maternal morbidity1 maternal health disparities1 or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes2 7#b7 in a health professional shortage area designated under section #ccb of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;e7 or a rural or underserved area2 and 7#c7 that promotes technology that addresses maternal health disparities4 7d7 ,limitations 7#a7 ,number ,the ,secretary may award not more than #a grant under this section4 7#b7 ,duration ,a grant awarded under this section shall be for a #e-year period4 7e7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall provide technical assistance to an eligible entity on the development1 use1 evaluation1 and postgrant sustainability of digital tools for purposes of promoting equity in maternal health outcomes4 7f7 ,reporting 7#a7 ,eligible entities ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection 7a7 shall submit to the ,secretary a report1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,secretary ,not later than #d years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report that includes-- 7,a7 an evaluation on the effectiveness of grants awarded under this section to improve maternal health outcomes1 particularly for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups2 7,b7 recommendations on new grant programs that promote the use of technology to improve such maternal health outcomes2 and 7,c7 recommendations with respect to-- 7i7 technology-based privacy and security safeguards in maternal health care2 7ii7 reimbursement rates for maternal telehealth services2 7iii7 the use of digital tools to analyze large data sets to identify potential pregnancy-related complications2 7iv7 barriers that prevent maternity care providers from providing telehealth services across ,states2 7v7 the use of consumer digital tools such as mobile phone applications1 patient portals1 and wearable technologies to improve maternal health outcomes2 7vi7 barriers that prevent access to telehealth services1 including a lack of access to reliable1 high-speed internet or electronic devices2 7vii7 barriers to data sharing between the ,special ,supplemental ,nutrition ,program for ,women1 ,infants1 and ,children program and maternity care providers1 and recommendations for addressing such barriers2 and 7viii7 lessons learned from expanded access to telehealth related to maternity care during the ,,covid-#ai public health emergency4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #f1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 #e4 ,report on the use of technology in maternity care 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall seek to enter an agreement with the ,national ,academies of ,sciences1 ,engineering1 and ,medicine 7referred to in this ,act as the ,national ,academies7 under which the ,national ,academies shall conduct a study on the use of technology and patient monitoring devices in maternity care4 7b7 ,content ,the agreement entered into pursuant to subsection 7a7 shall provide for the study of the following3 7#a7 ,the use of innovative technology 7including artificial intelligence7 in maternal health care1 including the extent to which such technology has affected racial or ethnic biases in maternal health care4 7#b7 ,the use of patient monitoring devices 7including pulse oximeter devices7 in maternal health care1 including the extent to which such devices have affected racial or ethnic biases in maternal health care4 7#c7 ,best practices for reducing and preventing racial or ethnic biases in the use of innovative technology and patient monitoring devices in maternity care4 7#d7 ,best practices in the use of innovative technology and patient monitoring devices for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups4 7#e7 ,best practices with respect to privacy and security safeguards in such use4 7c7 ,report ,the agreement under subsection 7a7 shall direct the ,national ,academies to complete the study under this section1 and transmit to ,congress a report on the results of the study1 not later than #bd months after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #f4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,maternal mortality ,the term maternal mortality means a death occurring during or within a #a-year period after pregnancy1 caused by pregnancy-related or childbirth complications1 including a suicide1 overdose1 or other death resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy-related or childbirth complications4 7#b7 ,maternity care provider ,the term maternity care provider means a health care provider who-- 7,a7 is a physician1 a physician assistant1 a midwife who meets1 at a minimum1 the international definition of a midwife and global standards for midwifery education as established by the ,international ,confederation of ,midwives1 an advanced practice registered nurse1 a doula accredited by a ,state to receive reimbursement for doula services under a ,state plan 7or a waiver of such plan7 under title ,,xix of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acif et seq471 or a lactation consultant certified by the ,international ,board of ,lactation ,consultant ,examiners2 and 7,b7 has a focus on maternal or perinatal health4 7#c7 ,postpartum ,the term postpartum refers to the #a-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy of an individual4 7#d7 ,racial and ethnic minority group ,the term racial and ethnic minority group has the meaning given such term in section #agjg7;g77#a7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjju-#f7;g77#a774 7#e7 ,severe maternal morbidity ,the term severe maternal morbidity means a health condition1 including mental health conditions and substance use disorders1 attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth that results in significant short-term or long-term consequences to the health of the individual who was pregnant4