Maternal mental health remains an area of critical need in the U.S. Despite newer maternal mortality data showing some declines, alarming maternal health disparities remain. Furthermore, the latest report from the CDC’s maternal mortality review committees continues to show that the vast majority of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, with continued indicators demonstrating the role played by mental health and substance use in these deaths. This is particularly alarming because the proposed President’s Budget Request for 2027 calls for cuts to the CDC’s Safe Motherhood/Infant Health Portfolio—a collection of programs that support coordinated national efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality and improve outcomes through data collection and data-driven clinical care.

While this may sound dire, there are structural changes through political reform already on the table that could significantly reshape the landscape of this crisis. In honor of May being Maternal Mental Health Month, you can help turn awareness into action.

The Momnibus Act is a comprehensive package of bills designed to address maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the U.S. The Momnibus includes investments to expand and diversify the perinatal workforce, improve data collection, fund community-based organizations, and provide access to essential resources during and after pregnancy. Now is the moment to get informed, raise your voice, and advocate for policies that protect and support maternal and family health. Below, explore a snapshot of the 14 Momnibus bills, their focus, and where they stand.

1. Social Determinants for Moms Act: Address systemic stressors (housing, food access, transportation) impacting maternal health disparities.
   Status: Stalled
2. WIC Eligibility Expansion (Extending WIC for New Moms): Extend postpartum WIC eligibility to create structural support linked to perinatal stressors in the postpartum/ breastfeeding period.
   Status: Stalled
3. Kira Johnson Act: Invest in community-based organizations advancing maternal health equity in maternity care settings.
   Status: Stalled
4. Maternal Health for Veterans Act: Specialized programs for screening and coordinating care of perinatal veteran populations.
   Status: Passed
5. Perinatal Workforce Provisions: Interdisciplinary collaboration to build and diversify the perinatal health workforce.
   Status: Stalled
6. Data to Save Moms Act: Improve maternal mortality data collection processes and research.
   Status: Stalled
7. Moms Matter Act: Programs for maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
   Status: Stalled
8. Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act: Improve pregnancy care for incarcerated pregnant people.
   Status: Stalled
9. Tech to Save Moms Act: Advance telehealth and remote monitoring options for perinatal clients.
   Status: Stalled
10. IMPACT to Save Moms Act: Establish new, innovative payment models for perinatal care.
    Status: Stalled
11. Pandemic Response Provisions: Advance comprehensive public health emergency strategies to address maternal health risks.
    Status: Stalled
12. Climate & Maternal Health Provisions: Address climate-related stressors impacting perinatal clients.
    Status: Stalled
13. Maternal Vaccination Act: Evidence-based education to increase maternal vaccination rates.
    Status: Stalled
14. NIH IMPROVE-related Provisions: Expand the evidence base guiding perinatal mental health treatment and reduce preventable maternal morbidity
    Status: Stalled

The Momnibus was introduced in 2020 as a package of bills and has subsequently been reintroduced multiple times without passing in its entirety. However, just because the full package hasn’t passed doesn’t mean it hasn’t been impactful.

In 2021, the Protecting Moms Who Served Act was passed by Congress, recognizing the unique and heightened pregnancy-related risks facing veterans. This bill ensures the Department of Veterans Affairs can continue to meet the growing demand for maternity care services and eliminate maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities among veterans through evidence-based perinatal mental health screening, care, and resources for service members and their dependents.

For the remaining bills that have not passed at the federal level, there has been state-level action. A meaningful example of this is the expansion of postpartum Medicaid and doula coverage. As of 2026, almost all states have adopted 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage extension, and 26 states and D.C. provide Medicaid reimbursement for doula services. This highlights that even when federal progress stalls, meaningful policy change is still advancing at the local level. These changes offer reasons for optimism and demonstrate the importance of community-level advocacy.

While there have been some wins and reasons for optimism, there is still a need for continued advocacy to fill the clinical care gaps and find solutions to the systemic constraints failing pregnant and postpartum women. The Momnibus continues to be framed as the best, comprehensive solution to addressing these issues through funding, policy, and racially concordant care.

What can you do?

• Contact your Representative and Senators to urge them to support the Momnibus in Congress. Also, urge them to reject budget cuts to the Safe Motherhood/Infant Health Portfolio that supports Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs), and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).
• Track the work of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, including their state-level efforts.
• Invest support in local community-based organizations already engaged in services for pregnant and postpartum mothers focused on mental health, substance use disorders, and social determinants of health (housing, transportation, nutrition, etc.).