Skip to main content
S. 851 117th Congress Senate

Social Determinants for Moms Act

Official title: A bill to address social determinants of maternal health.

Introduced: September 13, 2021 Introduced by: Richard Blumenthal Democratic · Connecticut See on congress.gov
Health Advisory bodiesAir qualityChild care and developmentChild health
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Community life and organizationCongressional oversightDisability and paralysisDomestic violence and child abuseEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthFamily servicesFederal officialsFood assistance and reliefGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care coverage and accessHealth care qualityHealth information and medical recordsHealth personnelHealth programs administration and fundingHealth technology, devices, suppliesHomelessness and emergency shelterHousing and community development fundingHousing industry and standardsHousing supply and affordabilityMedicaidMedicareMental healthMilitary personnel and dependentsMinority healthNutrition and dietPoverty and welfare assistanceRacial and ethnic relationsSex and reproductive healthSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsTransportation safety and securityWater qualityWomen's health
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 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
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action March 18, 2021

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

 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.

 Related & companion bills 6
  • HR 943 Social Determinants for Moms Act
  • HR 959 Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021
  • S 346 Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021
  • HR 7585 Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2022
  • S 4486 Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2022
  • HR 8862 PRO–LIFE Act of 2022
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Lobbying activity 2

Registered lobbyists who named this bill in their disclosure filings. Source: federal Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.

Bodies those filers lobbied

A filing lists the bills it worked on and the parts of government it contacted in separate sections, so these are the bodies those filers named anywhere in the filing, not a per-bill breakdown.

 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Ossoff, Jon
Georgia · Sep 13, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
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/.
Markdown link
[S. 851: Social Determinants for Moms Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-851/)
Report a problem