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Social Determinants for Moms Act

Introduced: March 18, 2021 Introduced by: Blumenthal, Richard Democratic · Connecticut See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Mar 18, 2021

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Mar 18, 2021

Introduced in Senate

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Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Social Determinants for Moms Act

This bill directs various federal departments to address social determinants of maternal health. These are nonclinical factors, such as economic or social factors, that impact maternal health outcomes.

First, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must convene a task force to coordinate federal efforts on social determinants of maternal health. HHS must also award grants to

support access to free child care during prenatal and postpartum appointments; and
address social determinants of, and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in, maternal health.

Second, the Department of Housing and Urban Development must award grants to community-based organizations and government entities to assist pregnant and postpartum individuals with affordable housing. Grantees may use funds to, for example, provide individuals with direct financial assistance.

Third, the Department of Transportation must report on transportation barriers that prevent pregnant and postpartum individuals from accessing health care and other services.

Fourth, the bill extends to 24 months the postpartum eligibility period for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Currently, WIC eligibility lasts for six months postpartum or one year for those breastfeeding. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must evaluate the impact of this extension. USDA must also establish a grant program to deliver healthy foods and supplies to pregnant and postpartum individuals in food deserts.

Last, the Environmental Protection Agency must enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the impact of environmental conditions and contaminants on maternal and infant health outcomes.

What's happening now March 18, 2021

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Related & companion bills 6

Bill text 1 version

Introduced in Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

Committees of jurisdiction 1

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Senate

Cosponsors 1

Ossoff, Jon

Georgia · Sep 13, 2021

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APA

U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 851: Social Determinants for Moms Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-851/

MLA

"S. 851: Social Determinants for Moms Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-851/.

Bluebook (legal)

S. 851, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-851/.

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[S. 851: Social Determinants for Moms Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-851/)