HHS Announces Over $65 Million to Address the Maternal Health Crisis and Invest in New Approaches to Care
By U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Over $65 million in grants have been awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), though the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to 35 HRSA-funded health centers to address the maternal mortality crisis, in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Maternal Health Blueprint. Almost 550,000 people per year receive essential prenatal care from HRSA-funded health centers in communities at higher risk of pregnancy-related deaths. Providers at these centers deliver over 160,000 babies per year. According to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, “The Biden-Harris Administration is taking significant steps to address our country’s maternal health crisis. This support for HRSA-funded health centers will help ensure healthier pregnancy and postpartum outcomes for all and help address health disparities among women of color and women in rural and medically underserved areas.” The funding will be used by the health centers to develop patient-centered care delivery models focused on the clinical and health-related social needs of patients at highest risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, including bilingual doula services, technology to help rural patients, and culturally aware mental and behavioral health care.
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