The Momnibus: NIH IMPROVE Act

Introduced by Representative Lauren Underwood and Senator Katie Britt

Background

According to The Commonwealth Fund, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income nation – and it is disproportionally high for Black women. It is estimated that up to 80% of these deaths are ultimately preventable.¹ In 2019, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Implementing a Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative. The IMPROVE Initiative supported research to reduce preventable causes of maternal deaths and improve health care for women before, during, and after pregnancy.²

This critical research program lacks a sustained funding source, threatening research outcomes and conclusions. The bipartisan NIH IMPROVE Act would provide 6 years of consistent funding to carry out the IMPROVE initiative and support research to identify the causes of maternal mortality and work to reduce said causes.

Bill Summary

The NIH IMPROVE Act seeks to:

  • Authorize $73.4M annually for six years to carry out the IMPROVE Initiative and support research on potential causes of maternal mortality and severe morbidity.
  • Approve research that would target disparities associated with maternal mortality and severe morbidity and aim to reduce preventable causes of maternal deaths.
  • Additionally, the bill would also build an evidence base for improved care and outcomes in underserved maternal care deserts.

Additionally, the bill proposes an integrated and comprehensive approach to investigate the biological, behavioral, sociocultural, and structural factors influencing maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. It aims to establish an evidence-based framework for enhanced care and outcomes in specific U.S. regions.

Click HERE for a printable one-pager on the bill.

Cosponsors

Click HERE for the current list of House cosponsors and HERE for the current list of Senate cosponsors.

Endorsements

  1. The NIH IMPROVE Act is endorsed by the following organizations:
  2. 4Kira4Moms
  3. Alliance to End Hunger
  4. Black Mamas Village
  5. Doula Alliance of Arkansas
  6. Engage: Promoting Women’s Economic Security
  7. Every Mother Counts
  8. Hustle Mommies
  9. Mainline Maternity Care
  10. March of Dimes
  11. Melinated Moms
  12. Most Beautiful W.O.M.B. Inc
  13. National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM)
  14. National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)
  15. Northeast Arkansas Doulas
  16. Roots and River Wellness
  17. Urban Baby Beginnings

 

1 Commonwealth Fund: Insights into the U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis: An International Comparison

2 NIH: Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative