The Tech to Save Moms Act is a bill that aims to expand and integrate technology in maternity care, with a focus on telehealth, remote monitoring, and digital tools to improve access, quality, and equity in maternal health. It would authorize new grant programs to (1) build and sustain technology-enabled learning and capacity-building models for maternity care in underserved communities, and (2) promote digital tools that address disparities in maternal outcomes. It also moves Medicaid (Title XIX) to allow telehealth-enabled screening, monitoring, and management of pregnancy-related health issues for up to one year postpartum, starting one year after enactment. Additionally, the bill would require a National Academies study on technology use in maternity care, including privacy, security, potential biases, and best practices. Overall, the bill seeks to broaden telehealth use, finance capacity building and equity-focused tech initiatives, and generate evaluation and guidance on how digital tools can improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for underserved populations. The proposed funding would authorize about $6 million per year (2026–2030) for each of two grant programs, totaling up to $60 million across those years, plus standard Medicaid telehealth flexibility (subject to the SSA amendment). A National Academies study would be funded outside of these appropriations and completed within 24 months of enactment. The measures emphasize training on mental health, substance use, social determinants of health, privacy and security, and cross-state telehealth considerations, aiming to reduce disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity.
Key Points
- 1Integrated telehealth in maternity care: The bill adds a new, time-limited telehealth framework under Medicaid to screen, monitor, and manage common pregnancy-related health issues for pregnant individuals and up to 1 year after giving birth. Effective 1 year after enactment.
- 2Grant program for technology-enabled learning (Sec. 330Q): Establishes grants to eligible entities to develop and expand technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity-building models, prioritizing health professional shortage areas, areas with high maternal mortality/morbidity, rural/underserved areas, disparities, and medically underserved populations (including American Indians/Alaska Natives). Grants last 5 years; total funding authorized at $6 million per year (2026–2030).
- 3Grant program to promote equity through digital tools (Sec. 4): Establishes grants to reduce maternal health disparities by expanding digital tools (e.g., provider-facing early warning systems, clinical decision support). Prioritized for high-mortality areas, shortage areas, and communities addressing disparities. Grants last 5 years; total funding authorized at $6 million per year (2026–2030). Includes technical assistance and comprehensive reporting requirements.
- 4National Academies study on technology in maternity care (Sec. 5): Secretary must seek a formal agreement with the National Academies to study the use of technology and patient monitoring devices (including AI and pulse oximeters) in maternity care, focusing on biases, privacy/security, and best practices. The study must be completed and reported to Congress within 24 months of enactment.
- 5Definitions and scope: The bill defines terms such as “technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model,” “maternal mortality,” “severe maternal morbidity,” “postpartum” (1 year after the last day of pregnancy), and “eligible entity” to ensure targeted funding reaches underserved populations and providers.