Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act of 2024”.
Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act of 2024
A BILL
To require a report on access to maternal health care within the military health system, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
Covered individual— The term covered individual means—
a covered beneficiary; or
a dependent.
Covered beneficiary; dependent; TRICARE program— The terms covered beneficiary, dependent, and TRICARE program have the meanings given those terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.
Maternal health— The term maternal health means care during labor, birthing, prenatal care, and postpartum care.
Maternity care desert— The term maternity care desert means a county in the United States that does not have—
a hospital or birth center offering obstetric care; or
an obstetric provider.
Prenatal care— The term prenatal care means medical care provided to maintain and improve fetal and maternal health during pregnancy.
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Defense.
Sec. 3 Report on access to maternal health care within the military health system
In general— Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on access to maternal health care within the military health system for covered individuals, during the preceding 2-year period.
Contents— The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following:
With respect to military medical treatment facilities:
An analysis of the availability of maternal health care for covered individuals who access the military health system through such facilities.
An identification of staffing shortages in positions relating to maternal health and childbirth, including obstetrician-gynecologists, certified nurse midwives, and labor and delivery nurses.
A description of specific challenges faced by covered individuals in accessing maternal health care at such facilities.
An analysis of the timeliness of access to maternal health care, including wait times for and travel times to appointments.
A description of how such facilities track patient satisfaction with maternal health services.
A process to establish continuity of prenatal care and postpartum care for covered individuals who experience a permanent change of station during a pregnancy.
An identification of barriers with regard to continuity of prenatal care and postpartum care during permanent changes of station.
A description of military-specific health challenges impacting covered individuals who receive maternal healthcare at military medical treatment facilities, and a description of how the Department tracks such challenges.
For the 10-year period preceding the date of the submission of the report, the amount of funds annually expended—
by the Department of Defense on maternal health care; and
by covered individuals on out-of-pocket costs associated with maternal health care.
An identification of each medical facility of the Department of Defense located in a maternity care desert.
Recommendations and legislative proposals—
to address staffing shortages that impact the positions described in subparagraph (B);
to improve the delivery and availability of maternal health services through military medical treatment facilities and improve patient experience; and
to improve continuity of prenatal care and postpartum care for covered individuals during a permanent change of station.
With respect to providers within the TRICARE program network that are not located at or affiliated with a military medical treatment facility:
An analysis of the availability of maternal health care for covered individuals who access the military health system through such providers.
An identification of staffing shortages for such providers in positions relating to maternal health and childbirth, including obstetrician-gynecologists, certified nurse midwives, and labor and delivery nurses.
A description of specific challenges faced by covered individuals in accessing maternal health care from such providers.
An analysis of the timeliness of access to maternal health care, including wait times for and travel times to appointments.
A description of how such providers track patient satisfaction with maternal health services.
A process to establish continuity of prenatal care and postpartum care for covered individuals who experience a permanent change of station during a pregnancy.
An identification of barriers with regard to continuity of prenatal care and postpartum care during permanent changes of station.
The number of dependents who choose to access maternal health care through such providers.
For the 10-year period preceding the date of the submission of the report, the amount of funds annually expended—
by the Department of Defense on maternal health care; and
by covered individuals on out-of-pocket costs associated with maternal health care.
Recommendations and legislative proposals—
to address staffing shortages that impact the positions described in subparagraph (B);
to improve the delivery and availability of maternal health services through the TRICARE program and improve patient experience;
to improve continuity of prenatal care and postpartum care for covered individuals during a permanent change of station; and
to improve the ability of contractors under the TRICARE program to build a larger network of providers for maternal health, including obstetrician-gynecologists, certified nurse midwives, and labor and delivery nurses.