The NEST Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a pilot program that provides newborn supply kits to new mothers through partnerships with hospitals, community organizations, and other eligible entities. Each kit includes essential items such as diapers, wipes, hygiene products, postpartum care supplies, breastfeeding materials, a blood pressure monitor, and educational information about maternal mental health resources and federal support programs. The program prioritizes distribution to low-income families earning up to 185 percent of the poverty line and focuses on underserved areas including rural communities, maternal care deserts, and regions with high maternal mortality rates. The bill authorizes five million dollars annually from fiscal year 2025 through 2029 and requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to report on program progress after one year and submit a final report with recommendations on whether to expand the program based on maternal and infant health outcomes.
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