NCUIH-Endorsed Protecting Moms Who Served Act Enacted

On November 30, 2021, President Biden signed the Protecting Moms Who served Act (H.R. 958/S. 796) into law. This bipartisan legislation introduced by Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is the first of 12 bills in the historic Momnibus Act to be enacted. This bill addresses the maternal mortality crisis among Veterans by:

• Investing $15 million in maternity care coordination programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities; and
• Commissioning the first-ever comprehensive study of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities among Veterans.
  • The report on maternal morbidity and mortality includes an assessment on the barriers to determining the data and recommendations for improvements in tracking maternal health outcomes among pregnant and postpartum veterans who are eligible to use the Indian Health Service, Tribal health programs, or urban Indian health organizations.

The National Council of Urban Indian Health has tirelessly advocated for improving the health of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Veterans and is pleased to endorse Rep. Underwood, Sen. Collins, and Sen. Duckworth’s legislation which advances maternal healthcare for Veterans with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities.

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