View all text of Subparti [§ 254b - § 254c-22]
§ 254c–1b. Rural obstetric network grants
(a) Program established
(b) Use of funds
Grants or cooperative agreements awarded pursuant to this section shall be used for the establishment or continuation of collaborative improvement and innovation networks to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity by improving prenatal care, labor care, birthing, and postpartum care services in rural areas. Rural obstetric networks established in accordance with this section may—
(1) develop a network to improve coordination and increase access to maternal health care and assist pregnant women in the areas described in subsection (a) with accessing and utilizing prenatal care, labor care, birthing, and postpartum care services to improve outcomes in birth and maternal mortality and morbidity;
(2) identify and implement evidence-based and sustainable delivery models for providing prenatal care, labor care, birthing, and postpartum care services, including home visiting programs and culturally appropriate care models that reduce health disparities;
(3) develop a model for maternal health care collaboration between health care settings to improve access to care in areas described in subsection (a), which may include the use of telehealth;
(4) provide training for professionals in health care settings that do not have specialty maternity care;
(5) collaborate with academic institutions that can provide regional expertise and help identify barriers to providing maternal health care, including strategies for addressing such barriers; and
(6) assess and address disparities in infant and maternal health outcomes, including among racial and ethnic minority populations and underserved populations in such areas described in subsection (a).
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible entities
(2) Frontier area
(3) Indian Tribes; Tribal organization
(4) Maternity care health professional target area
(d) Report to Congress
Not later than September 30, 2026, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on activities supported by grants awarded under this section, including—
(1) a description of activities conducted pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (b); and
(2) an analysis of the effects of rural obstetric networks on improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 330A–2, as added Pub. L. 117–103, div. P, title I, § 142, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 798.)