H.R. 6394 (Introduced in House) — Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2025

A BILL

To address maternity care shortages and promote optimal maternity outcomes by expanding educational opportunities for midwives, and for other purposes.

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2025” or the “Midwives for MOMS Act of 2025”.

Sec. 2 Midwifery schools and programs

(a)

In general— Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 760 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 294k) the following:

“760A. Midwifery schools and programs

“(a) In general—The Secretary may award grants to institutions of higher education (as defined in subsections (a) and (b) of section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965) for the following:

“(1) Direct support of students in an accredited midwifery school or program.

“(2) Establishment or expansion of an accredited midwifery school or program.

“(3) Securing, preparing, or providing support for increasing the number of, qualified preceptors for training the students of an accredited midwifery school or program.

“(b) Priority evaluation—In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give precedence to any institution of higher education that—

“(1) agrees to prioritize students who plan to practice in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332; and

“(2) demonstrates a focus on recruitment and retention of students from rural and economically disadvantaged communities through—

“(A) enhanced recruitment strategies;

“(B) mentorship programs;

“(C) academic remediation; or

“(D) internships and fellowships.

“(c) Restriction—The Secretary shall not provide any assistance under this section to be used with respect to a midwifery school or program within a school of nursing (as defined in section 801).

“(d) Authorization of appropriations

“(1) In general—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

“(2) Allocation—Of the amounts made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall use—

“(A) 50 percent for subsection (a)(1);

“(B) 25 percent for subsection (a)(2); and

“(C) 25 percent for subsection (a)(3).”

(b)

Definitions—

(1)

Midwifery school or program— Section 799B(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p(1)(A)) is amended—

(A)

by inserting ““midwifery school or program”,” before “and “school of chiropractic””;

(B)

by inserting “a degree or certificate in midwifery or an equivalent degree or certificate,” before “and a degree of doctor of chiropractic or an equivalent degree”; and

(C)

by striking “any such school” and inserting “any such school or program”.

(2)

Accredited— Section 799B(1)(E) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p(1)(E)) is amended by inserting “a midwifery school or program,” before “or a graduate program in health administration”.

Sec. 3 Nurse-midwives

Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 811 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 296j) the following:

“812. Midwifery expansion program

“(a) In general—The Secretary may award grants to schools of nursing for the following:

“(1) Direct support of students in an accredited nurse-midwifery school or program.

“(2) Establishment or expansion of an accredited nurse-midwifery school or program.

“(3) Securing, preparing, or providing support for increasing the numbers of, preceptors at clinical training sites to precept students training to become certified nurse-midwives.

“(b) Priority evaluation—In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give precedence to any school of nursing that—

“(1) agrees to prioritize students who choose to pursue an advanced education degree in nurse-midwifery to practice in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332; and