Academy Urges Congress to Support Funding for Mothers and Babies Health

The Academy is committed to securing federal funding for programs that support maternal and child health. As part of this effort, the Academy joined a coalition of organizations in sending appropriations request letters to the Chairs and Ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.

Academy Urges Congress to support the Tile V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant

The Academy joined 97 organizations in urging Congress to support at least $1 billion for the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant in the FY2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. This critical funding provides state health departments with flexible and cost-effective resources to address the most critical and unique maternal and child health needs through statewide and community-level programs.

In FY2023, the Title V MCH Block Grant provided access to healthcare and public health services for an estimated 59 million people, including 99% of infants, 94% of all pregnant people, and 51% of children nationwide.

Academy Urges Congress to support the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies (SET-NET)

Additionally, the Academy joined 79 organizations in calling for $100 million in funding for the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies (SET-NET) program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SET-NET strengthens collaboration between the CDC and State, tribal, territorial, and local health departments to monitor and respond to emerging health threats impacting pregnant people and their babies.

The proposed $100 million would allow SET-NET to expand its reach, track additional threats, and enhance national preparedness and response to safeguard pregnant individuals and babies from emerging and re-emerging public health threats.