Congresswoman Nikema Williams Leads Introduction of the Bipartisan, Bicameral Tech to Save Moms Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) led the introduction of the Tech to Save Moms Act, bipartisan legislation to support the use of technology to help close the gap in maternal health care and address the racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality outcomes. Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), and David Joyce (OH-14) are co-leading the introduction of the Tech to Save Moms Act. U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján and Dan Sullivan introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

The Tech to Save Moms Act is based on recommendations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to leverage the use of telehealth to improve maternal health outcomes, including expanding remote patient monitoring and promoting virtual training and capacity building models. Digital tools are not the only solution to America’s maternal health crisis, but they can play an important role in addressing specific challenges facing patients and providers, particularly in underserved areas. 

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said:

“Too many moms die when basic healthcare is inaccessible for them. Moms in Georgia—especially Black moms—know how hard it can be to get the care we need. It’s partly to blame for Georgia having the worst maternal mortality crisis in the country. The Tech to Save Moms Act will take an important step to put healthcare technology within reach for moms and moms to be, helping the entire family spend more time together.”

“Innovative technology can play an important role in solving our country’s maternal health crisis, and we must use every tool at our disposal to help moms get access to the health care they need and deserve both during and after pregnancy.” said Underwood. “I’m proud to join Representatives Nikema Williams, Ashley Hinson, and Dave Joyce to introduce the bipartisan Tech to Save Moms Act, a key part of the Momnibus that will make strong investments in effective digital tools and help save moms’ lives.”

“Too many moms are still struggling to access the health care they need, especially in rural areas. We should be using all available tools and technologies to make pregnancy and postpartum care safer, easier to access, and better for moms everywhere. I’m so proud to help reintroduce bipartisan legislation that would strengthen care, support providers, and improve outcomes for moms and babies.” — Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

“Telehealth is an incredibly useful tool for increasing access to care, especially in rural communities,” said Congressman Joyce. “In too many of our state’s rural counties, expectant mothers face limited access to obstetric care and too few places to deliver safely and close to home. We need to use every tool available to close these gaps and improve maternal health outcomes, including expanding remote patient monitoring to strengthen care, provide peace of mind to expecting and new mothers, and improve outcomes in underserved areas. I want to thank Representatives Williams, Underwood, and Hinson for their leadership and advocacy on this critical issue.”

The Tech to Save Moms Act will:

1. Require the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to consider models that improve the integration of telehealth services in maternal health care.
2. Authorize funding for technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models that will develop and disseminate instructional programming and training for maternity care providers in rural and underserved areas, covering topics such as:
   1. Safety and quality improvement.
   2. Addressing maternal mental and behavioral health conditions.
   3. Identifying social determinants of health risks in the prenatal and postpartum periods.
3. Establish a grant program to promote digital tools designed to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
4. Commission a comprehensive study on the use of technology in maternity care to reduce maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities

Endorsing Organizations: 4Kira4Moms, A Better Balance, Babyscripts, Black Legislative Leaders Network, Boston Medical Center, Catholics for Choice, Commonsense Childbirth, Families USA, HealthConnect One, Luna Tierra Casa de Partos, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, Melinated Moms, Mom Congress, National Association of Certified Professional Midwives, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, Nemours Children’s Health, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Once Upon A Preemie, Inc., Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association, SisterReach, Inc and SisterReach Illinois, The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society, United Church of Christ, and the Association for Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Click here to read the text of the Tech to Save Moms Act. 

Click here to read the one-pager on the Tech to Save Moms Act.