On August 27, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced over $558 million in funding aimed at improving maternal health. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's ongoing commitment to reducing the nation's high maternal mortality rate through the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within HHS, will allocate more than $440 million to expand voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services for eligible families nationwide. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a new investment of $118.5 million over five years to enhance public health infrastructure in 46 states, six territories, and freely associated states for better identification and prevention of pregnancy-related deaths.
In 2022, President Biden signed bipartisan legislation doubling funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program over five years. The program allows local organizations to provide home visits from healthcare professionals who support families with prenatal care, postpartum support, breastfeeding guidance, safe sleep practices for infants, early language development, developmental screening, school readiness initiatives, and connections to community resources like affordable childcare or job opportunities.
Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized her dedication to addressing maternal health issues: “As someone who has spent my entire career fighting for the health and wellbeing of women and children... I called on states to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage from two months to 12 months... Today we are building on this lifesaving work by awarding more than $558 million.”
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the significance of home visits: “Bringing home a baby can be stressful... But we know from decades of research that home visits work – from helping with school readiness...to improving health for women.” He added that President Biden and Vice President Harris recognize the importance of supporting children during their crucial developmental years.
HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson also underscored HRSA's commitment: “At HRSA we are deeply committed to removing barriers to care for expectant and new moms... That’s why – thanks to leadership from the President and Vice President – we were able to work closely with bipartisan leaders in Congress.”
Johnson made these remarks at HRSA’s Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative convening at Wayne State University in Detroit. The event brought together various stakeholders involved in maternal and infant health.
The home visiting program funds states, jurisdictions, and tribal entities in developing evidence-based programs tailored to community needs. Families voluntarily participate from pregnancy up until kindergarten age. These programs have shown significant benefits including improved school readiness for children, better health outcomes for women, increased insurance coverage rates among participants' families as well as reduced instances of child injuries or abuse.
For further details about awardees under this initiative visit https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/programs/home-visiting/maternal-infant-early-childhood-home-visiting-miechv-program/fy24-awards
The CDC’s new $118.5 million investment aims at strengthening Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) across various jurisdictions enabling them not only review but also prevent future pregnancy-related deaths through actionable recommendations derived from their findings since ERASE MM began back in 2019
Wanda Barfield MD MPH Director CDC Division Reproductive Health stated "Every pregnancy-related death is a tragedy… Thanks MMRCs know more causes circumstances around pregnancy-related deaths actionable recommendations prevent future deaths"
These efforts align with both HHS’ broader objectives outlined within White House Blueprint Address Maternal Health Crisis detailed following Fact Sheet White House Blueprint Address Maternal Health Crisis Two Years Progress
