PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · Sep 21, 2020
Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2020
This bill expands initiatives to address maternal health in rural areas and promote innovation in the field.
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish rural obstetric networks for improving outcomes in birth and maternal morbidity through collaboration, training, and program evaluation.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
HHS also must award demonstration program grants to (1) train physicians, medical residents, and other practitioners to provide maternal and obstetric services in rural communities; and (2) support academic programs that develop or provide training to improve maternal care in rural areas. Further, the bill adds maternal health services as part of the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs.
The bill also makes a series of changes to the research and reporting requirements of HHS with respect to data on maternal health outcomes.
Additionally, the bill establishes grants to (1) develop best practices to reduce preventable maternal mortality; (2) train health care professionals about reducing and preventing discrimination when providing maternal health services; (3) support perinatal quality collaboratives in states, tribes, or tribal organizations to improve perinatal care and health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women; and (4) establish evidence-informed, integrated health care services for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants.
HHS also must contract with an independent research organization to study and make recommendations to accredited school training programs about discrimination and implicit and explicit biases.
People & committees
Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16] · D–NY
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4623-4625)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4995.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4623-4626)
Mrs. Dingell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 414.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-514.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-514.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Hearings Held Prior to Introduction and Referral.
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: May 28, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
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Analyze H.R.4995 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.4995 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.4995 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.4995 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.