By Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS

Over the weekend, the House of Representatives passed a key procedural vote to set up eventual passage of the Build Back Better Act, a legislative package that includes several social safety net provisions, including provisions from the Moms Matter Act. This is an exciting development as the Moms Matter Act gets closer to the finish line.

The Shades of Blue Project, one of our partners, was critical in developing the legislation--which is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus--and 2020 Mom has been proud to actively support it.

The Moms Matter Act was introduced earlier this year by Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) in the Senate and Representatives Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and John Katko (R-NY) in the House. The bill, if passed, would create two new grant programs within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

A grant program for community-based programs to support those who are pregnant/postpartum through:
- Integrated mental health/substance use services in primary care settings;
- Prenatal and postpartum support groups;
- Initiatives addressing stigma and raising awareness regarding maternal mental health and substance use disorders;
- Programs at freestanding birth centers; and
- Suicide prevention programs.
A grant program for schools and educational programs to diversify the maternal mental health and substance use disorder workforce (i.e. increase the number of therapists of color, certified peer support specialists and more) and expand access to culturally competent care.

The Moms Matter Act authorization levels in the reconciliation package are $100 million for the community-based grants, and $75 million for the workforce development grants.

There is still a possibility that the Build Back Better Act in its current form will change in the weeks ahead. Even after the House passes the reconciliation package—which it is planning to do next week—it must pass the Senate, where some Senators are concerned about the contents and cost of the bill. If Senators make changes to the package, which they are expected to do, the bill will have to go back to the House for another vote.

Senate leadership has indicated that they want to pass the bill before Thanksgiving, but it is possible that in order to adhere to required Senate procedures, it will take longer to pass the Build Back Better Act.

2020 Mom is closely tracking the reconciliation package, and encouraging lawmakers to ensure that the Moms Matter Act is included in any final version of the package, as moms across the U.S. deserve more support for mental health and substance use disorders.

Related Blog Posts:

Why The Moms Matter Act?

In honor of May as Maternal Mental Health Month, we are continuing to lift up a critical bill that seeks to support the maternal health and wellbeing of mothers; specifically Black and other minority mothers who have faced disparities for far too long.

Up to one in five women will suffer from a maternal mental health disorder like postpartum depression, however women of color, or those who are economically disadvantaged, are several times more likely to suffer, and less likely to receive care.

Congress Introduces The Moms Matter Act for Black & Brown Maternal Mental Health

In February, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus was reintroduced by members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus.

The bill package built on and refined the prior and first Black Maternal Health Momnibus introduced last year, in the 116th congress, to comprehensively address America’s maternal health crisis and specifically the significant disparities that exist for Black women and other women of color.