H.R. 8317: Tech to Save Moms Act

This bill, titled the Tech to Save Moms Act, aims to improve maternal health outcomes through the use of technology and collaborative learning. Here’s a summary of its key components:

1. Telehealth Integration in Maternity Care

The bill proposes amendments to the Social Security Act to enhance telehealth services for pregnant individuals. Specifically, it will allow the use of telehealth tools for:

• Screening, monitoring, and managing typical health complications during pregnancy.
• The continuation of care for up to one year after the pregnancy ends.

2. Grant Programs for Technology-Enabled Collaborative Learning

The bill establishes grant programs aiming to:

• Evaluate and develop tech-enabled collaborative models that could enhance maternal health outcomes, especially in
• Health professional shortage areas
• Areas with high rates of maternal mortality or morbidity
• Rural and underserved regions
• Populations experiencing significant maternal health disparities
• Disseminate best practices and improve training for maternity care professionals.

3. Uses of Grant Funds

Funds from these grants will be used for:

• Training healthcare providers in safety, quality of care, implicit bias, and best practices for mental health and substance use disorders related to maternal health.
• Evaluating the impact of these models on healthcare access and quality, patient outcomes, and provider retention in targeted areas.
• Developing tools and methods for screening and managing maternal health risks.

4. Digital Tools to Promote Equity

The bill includes provisions for grants aimed at increasing access to digital tools in maternal healthcare. These will focus on addressing maternal health disparities by:

• Prioritizing areas with elevated maternal health issues.
• Incorporating technologies that support healthcare providers, like clinical decision support mechanisms.

5. Research and Evaluation

A significant aspect of the legislation is the requirement for research on the use of technology in maternal health. This includes:

• Studying the effects of innovative technologies and patient monitoring devices.
• Exploring how such technologies can reduce racial or ethnic biases in maternal care.

6. Funding and Reporting

The bill authorizes an appropriation of $6 million annually from 2027 through 2031 for these initiatives. Additionally, recipients of grants must report their findings, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with reporting to Congress about the effectiveness of these programs.

7. Definitions

The bill provides definitions for key terms such as 'maternal mortality,' 'severe maternal morbidity,' and 'eligibility of entities' that can apply for grants aimed at enhancing maternity care and reducing disparities.

Relevant Companies

• AMZN: Amazon may be impacted due to potential partnerships for telehealth services and technology development.
• CRM: Salesforce could see an increase in demand for its systems in managing health data and patient care coordination platforms.
• GS: Goldman Sachs could benefit from advisory roles or investments in healthcare technology startups focused on maternal health.