Reauthorizes and amends the program for treatment of pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders, increasing funding and adding service provision requirements.
Ben Luján
Senator
NM
The "Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act" reauthorizes and amends section 508 of the Public Health Service Act. It updates language, adds a requirement for service provision plans that may include outreach to women greatly affected by maternal substance use disorder, and increases funding to $38,931,000 annually from 2025 through 2029.
Bill Renews and Boosts Funding for Pregnant & Postpartum Substance Use Treatment Program to $38.9M Annually
This legislation renews a federal program focused on providing healthcare services for pregnant and postpartum women, particularly those dealing with substance use disorders. It authorizes an increased funding level of $38,931,000 for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2029, up from the previous $29,931,000. The core goal is to continue supporting treatment and care during a critical period for maternal and child health.
Fresh Funding, Sharpened Focus
The key changes involve not just continuing the program but giving it a financial boost and adding a layer of planning. The bill increases the authorized annual funding by $9 million. Alongside the extra money, organizations receiving grants under this program will now need to submit a plan detailing how they'll deliver services. This plan requirement aims to ensure there's a clear strategy for reaching and treating women effectively.
Planning for Impact
What does this mean practically? The required service delivery plan could lead to more structured or comprehensive care approaches. While not mandatory, the bill explicitly mentions that these plans can include specific outreach strategies targeting women heavily impacted by substance use issues during or after pregnancy. This suggests an encouragement, if not a requirement, to proactively connect with those who might face the biggest barriers to care. The combination of renewed authorization, increased potential funding, and a focus on strategic service delivery aims to strengthen support systems for vulnerable mothers and their infants.