119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 8811
The Moms Matter Act establishes two main federal grant programs to address maternal mental health and substance use disorders. First, it creates a Maternal Mental Health Equity Grant Program that awards grants to eligible organizations like community health centers, nonprofits, and state health departments to expand mental health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, with priority given to areas with high maternal mortality rates and health professional shortages. Eligible organizations can use funding to integrate mental health care into prenatal settings, expand group care programs, provide addiction treatment referrals, reduce stigma, train maternity care providers, and establish suicide prevention programs. Second, the bill authorizes grants to educational institutions to grow and diversify the workforce of mental health professionals who specialize in maternal care, with particular emphasis on recruiting students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and those planning to work in underserved areas. The legislation authorizes $25 million annually for the first grant program and $15 million annually for the workforce development program, running from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with reporting requirements to track effectiveness and outcomes.