Us Congress Senate Bill SB2621

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 7/31/25
• Refer: 7/31/25

Caption

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize support for State-based maternal mortality review committees, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disseminate best practices on maternal mortality prevention to hospitals, State-based professional societies, and perinatal quality collaboratives, and for other purposes.

Impact

If enacted, this bill will enhance the framework for maternal healthcare by ensuring states are equipped with structured committees that evaluate maternal mortality events. These committees will play a critical role in generating insights that can inform practices and policies at both state and national levels. Moreover, the requirement for the Secretary to regularly disseminate best practices ensures that all stakeholders remain informed about the latest evidence-based interventions and standards in maternal health.

Summary

SB2621 seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act by reauthorizing support for State-based maternal mortality review committees, which aim to investigate and review maternal deaths and contribute to strategies for prevention. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disseminate effective practices focused on maternal mortality prevention to various healthcare institutions and organizations, including hospitals and professional societies. The overarching intent is to reduce maternal deaths and improve healthcare outcomes for mothers across the United States.

Contention

While the bill appears largely supportive of enhancing maternal health services, there may be points of contention regarding the extent of federal oversight in state health matters. Critics might argue that while the goal of reducing maternal mortality is universally accepted, the mechanism of federally directed practice dissemination could be seen as an encroachment on state authority in public health matters. Additionally, discussions may emerge surrounding the allocation of the proposed funding for these initiatives and whether it sufficiently addresses the diverse needs of different states.