Summary of HR 1909: Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2025

Purpose and Intent

The Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to enhance maternal health by reauthorizing support for state-based maternal mortality review committees and improving the dissemination of best practices for preventing maternal mortality. This legislation seeks to address the critical issue of maternal deaths in the United States, which have been rising in recent years, particularly among marginalized populations.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes several significant amendments to the Public Health Service Act:

1. Reauthorization of Maternal Mortality Review Committees:

   • The bill reauthorizes funding for state-based maternal mortality review committees, which analyze maternal deaths to identify causes and recommend preventive measures.
   • It expands the composition of these committees to include obstetricians and gynecologists, ensuring a broader range of clinical expertise.

2. Dissemination of Best Practices:

   • The Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to disseminate best practices for preventing maternal mortality to hospitals, state professional societies, and perinatal quality collaboratives.
   • This dissemination will occur at least once per fiscal year, ensuring that healthcare providers are regularly updated on effective strategies for maternal health.

3. Increased Funding:

   • The bill increases the funding authorization for maternal mortality review committees from $58 million (for fiscal years 2019-2023) to $100 million for each fiscal year from 2025 to 2029. This increase aims to enhance the capacity of states to conduct thorough reviews and implement findings.

Affected Parties

• Healthcare Providers: Hospitals, obstetricians, gynecologists, and perinatal quality collaboratives will be directly impacted as they receive updated best practices and guidelines.
• State Governments: State-based maternal mortality review committees will benefit from increased funding and support, enabling them to operate more effectively.
• Pregnant Individuals: The ultimate goal is to improve maternal health outcomes, thereby benefiting pregnant individuals and their families.

Procedural Aspects

• Introduced: March 6, 2025
• Current Status: The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce for further consideration.
• Sponsors: The bill is sponsored by Earl L. "Buddy" Carter and has multiple cosponsors, including notable representatives such as Diana DeGette and Kathy Castor.

Related Legislation

• HR 1768: A companion bill in the House.
• S 891: A companion bill in the Senate.

This legislation represents a critical step toward addressing maternal mortality in the United States, aiming to provide states with the resources and guidance necessary to improve maternal health outcomes.