A new bill introduced in Congress by Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) aims to confront one of the country’s most stubborn public health challenges: the rising rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal illness.
H.R. 8008, known as the Social Determinants for Moms Act, currently has 42 cosponsors. The legislation would direct the federal government to address the social and economic factors that often shape health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum people.
Rather than focusing only on medical care, the bill targets the conditions surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. Supporters say issues such as unstable housing, lack of transportation, food insecurity, environmental hazards and domestic violence can create a chain reaction that increases the risk of serious complications.
At the center of the proposal is the creation of a federal task force led by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The task force would include representatives from multiple federal agencies, along with patient advocates, community leaders and maternity care providers.
The group would be responsible for developing strategies to reduce preventable maternal deaths, severe maternal morbidity and persistent health disparities. Among its priorities would be expanding access to prenatal and postpartum care, improving housing conditions for pregnant and postpartum individuals and increasing access to necessities such as healthy food, infant formula and childcare.
The bill also directs the task force to examine the impact of environmental conditions and intimate partner violence on maternal health outcomes. Those issues are often described by advocates as hidden currents beneath the surface of the maternal health crisis, powerful forces that can shape a family’s well-being long before a patient reaches a hospital.
In addition, the legislation would establish a grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services. Community organizations, public health departments and other eligible entities could apply for funding to support programs related to housing, nutrition, transportation and domestic violence prevention.
Priority for the grants would go to communities with high rates of maternal health complications and poverty. The bill authorizes $100 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support the effort.
