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DES MOINES — Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced bipartisan legislation to address rising maternal mortality rates by increasing access to comprehensive care for pregnant women on Medicaid. The Harnessing Effective and Appropriate Long-Term Health for Moms on Medicaid (HEALTH for MOM) Act would support state-led efforts to coordinate maternity care through maternal health homes.
“At-risk mothers in Iowa are being failed by a system that makes it too difficult to access basic care,” said Rep. Nunn. “This bill gives states the tools to build strong, community-based support systems for expecting mothers—especially in rural areas—so every woman has access to the care she needs for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.”
“My grandmother died giving birth in the 1950s, and it is shameful that over half a century later, we still have a maternal morbidity crisis that is killing our loved ones and destabilizing our communities,” said Rep. Pressley. “Our bill would help address the maternal health crisis—which is disproportionately impacting Black and low-income folks—by helping vulnerable families access high-quality, culturally congruent maternal care. I’m grateful to our colleagues for their partnership. It’s time for Congress to pass this bill without delay.”
“Broadlawns sees firsthand the critical need for accessible, coordinated maternal care. Supporting initiatives that expand access and improve outcomes aligns directly with our mission to provide high-quality care for every patient—before, during, and after pregnancy,” said Proctor Lureman, President and CEO of Broadlawns Medical Center.
The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 80% of maternal deaths are preventable, yet nearly 2 million women live in maternity care deserts—regions with limited or no access to essential services. According to data from the National Health Service Corps 33 of Iowa’s 99 counties are designated as maternity care deserts in 2022.
More than 400,000 babies are born each year in areas with restricted access to maternity care, and the average pregnancy-related healthcare cost is nearly $19,000 per birth. For families with insurance, this still amounts to over $2,800 in out-of-pocket costs—creating a significant barrier to care.
To address these challenges, the HEALTH for MOM Act would provide grants to states to establish maternal health homes. These health homes would deliver coordinated maternity care through individualized, patient-centered care plans, helping reduce emergency room visits and costly hospital stays associated with pregnancy complications.
Text of the bill can be found here.
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