The "Standing with Moms Act" requires the creation of a federal website and portal, life.gov, providing comprehensive resources and support for pregnant women and new mothers, while excluding abortion-related services.
Nancy Mace
Representative
SC-1
The "Standing with Moms Act" aims to support expecting mothers by creating a comprehensive, user-friendly website and portal called life.gov, offering resources such as mental health services, alternatives to abortion, and abortion risk information. The Act ensures that the Maternal Mental Health Hotline shares information and links to life.gov, and it prohibits listing resources from entities that perform or promote abortions. Additionally, the Act requires the Secretary to develop a plan to follow up with users on additional resources and submit a report to Congress on the website and portal's effectiveness.
Feds Launch 'Life.gov' to Connect Pregnant Women with Resources, Excludes Abortion Providers
The "Standing with Moms Act" mandates the creation of a federal website, Life.gov, and an associated portal, aiming to be a one-stop shop for pregnant women and new mothers seeking resources. The law, slated to take effect within a year, requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to compile a comprehensive list of federal, state, local, and private resources – but with a significant caveat: it excludes any organization that provides or even counsels in favor of abortion.
Life.gov: The Good, The Bad, and The Missing
The core of the bill is the creation of Life.gov. The idea is to connect women with everything from prenatal care and mental health services to financial assistance and legal aid (SEC. 2). Think of it as a government-curated Yelp for pregnancy and early motherhood, offering information tailored to a user's specific needs and location. The bill mandates that the website includes information on alternatives to abortion and potential abortion risks (SEC. 2). The portal is also designed to provide follow-up support, with the option for users to consent to be contacted by phone or email for additional resources (SEC. 2).
Real-World Rollout: Help or Hinderance?
For a single mom working two jobs, Life.gov could be a lifesaver, potentially connecting her with childcare assistance, food programs, or legal help for securing child support. A college student facing an unplanned pregnancy might find resources for housing, continued education, or adoption services. However, the bill's explicit exclusion of abortion providers raises serious questions. A woman experiencing complications and needing immediate medical advice wouldn't find resources for the full range of her healthcare options on Life.gov. This omission could create a significant gap in care, particularly for women in rural areas or those with limited access to other sources of information.
Challenges and Connections
One major challenge is ensuring the site remains unbiased and comprehensive, despite the exclusion of abortion-related resources. The bill requires states to recommend resources, but the criteria for inclusion could be subject to political influence (SEC. 2). The bill also requires integration with the existing Maternal Mental Health Hotline, potentially expanding its reach and capacity, but again, with the same limitations on abortion-related information (SEC. 2). Finally, the requirement for a report to Congress on the website's usage and feedback could provide valuable data for future improvements – or become a tool for political point-scoring, depending on how it's used (SEC. 2).