Tech to Save Moms Act

How the Tech to Save Moms Act Promises to Revolutionize Maternal Health Care

Introduction

In the United States, the maternal mortality rate is alarmingly high, which disproportionately affects women of color, has spurred bipartisan efforts to address this critical public health issue. A significant number of these deaths are preventable, shedding light on systemic failures in providing adequate care for mothers across the country. This brings us to the recent legislative push—the Tech to Save Moms Act—an innovative approach aiming to leverage technology to safeguard maternal health. The re-introduction of the Tech to Save Moms Act by U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) marks a pivotal effort to leverage telehealth and other digital tools to improve maternal health outcomes nationwide (Senator Bob Menendez's Office, 2023).

What is the Tech to Save Moms Act?

The Tech to Save Moms Act is a legislative proposal designed to leverage technology and innovation to improve maternal health outcomes across the United States, with a particular focus on underserved and minority populations (Congress, 2023). Initially introduced in 2021, the Act is part of a broader legislative effort under the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which comprises 12 bills aimed at tackling various facets of maternal health issues.

The Urgency of Addressing Maternal Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 700 women die each year in the United States due to pregnancy or delivery complications, and Black, Native American and Alaska Native women are two-to-three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women (Senator Bob Menendez's Office, 2023). According to the 2021 Nurture NJ Strategic Plan, Black women in New Jersey from 2014 to 2016 had approximately seven times more pregnancy-related deaths (46.9 per 100,000 live births) than white women (6.5 per 100,000 live births).

As defined by the CDC, Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM) is the unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in significant short- or long-term consequences to a woman’s health. New Jersey’s SMM rates are among the highest in the U.S., according to a 2020 report by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). In 2018, rates of SMM among New Jersey Black, non-Hispanic women were nearly three times greater than those of non-Hispanic white women.

Potential Impact of the Act

Senator Menendez highlighted that before the pandemic, New Jersey had one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, with severe racial disparities. The pandemic further exacerbated these issues, underscoring the need for the Tech to Save Moms Act. By integrating telehealth into maternal care, the Act aims to reduce these disparities, improve health outcomes, and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all mothers. The act aims to address critical challenges in maternal health through several key initiatives (Melchionna, 2023):

• Integration of Telehealth Services: The act mandates the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to explore and potentially implement models that enhance the integration of telehealth services within maternal healthcare. This includes expanding remote patient monitoring and other virtual care models that can provide continuous support for maternal health, especially in remote or underserved areas.

• Support for Collaborative Learning and Capacity Building: The legislation provides funding for technology-enabled collaborative learning models. These initiatives are intended to develop and disseminate instructional programming and training for maternity care providers, particularly those working in underserved areas. Covered topics include Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) safety bundles, training on bias and discrimination, best practices for maternal mental health and substance use disorders, and identifying social determinants of health risks during prenatal and postpartum periods.

• Grants for Digital Tools: It establishes a grant program specifically designed to promote the development and use of digital tools that aim to improve maternal health outcomes, with an emphasis on supporting minority women. This includes ensuring access to high-speed, reliable internet for grantees to facilitate the deployment of these technologies.

• Research on Artificial Intelligence: The act also calls for studies on the use of artificial intelligence in maternal health care, focusing on preventing racial and ethnic biases from influencing new technological innovations in maternity care.

Conclusion

By promoting the integration of advanced digital tools and telehealth solutions, the Tech to Save Moms Act seeks to create a more accessible, equitable, and effective healthcare environment for all mothers. This approach not only addresses the immediate health needs but also contributes to long-term improvements in maternal health outcomes nationwide.