IMPACT to Save Moms Act

S 1797, the IMPACT to Save Moms Act, establishes a 5-year federal demonstration project (2024-2028) allowing states to test new payment models for Medicaid and child health plans covering maternity care. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum individuals enrolled in state Medicaid programs, with specific focus on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups facing higher maternal mortality and health disparities. Key provisions require states to design payment models that adjust for pregnancy risk, include diverse care teams (with bias training), address social determinants of health, and cover nonhospital birth settings like birth centers. The project mandates coordination with stakeholders including maternal health advocates, providers, and community organizations, and requires evaluation of outcomes by race, geography, and other factors. The Secretary must report findings to Congress by 2029, recommending whether to expand the model nationally.