On January 20, the U.S. House of Representatives released H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 – a bipartisan, bicameral “minibus” package that includes the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill. While we are pleased with the bill’s overarching commitment to maternal and child health (MCH) and rejection of the Administration’s proposal to restructure public health agencies, some programs critical to MCH face flat funding or reductions, which could have harmful effects on MCH populations. We are encouraged, however, by the bill’s rejection of broad cuts, its targeted investments, and its recognition of the essential work of public health agencies in supporting healthy pregnancies, improving child health outcomes, expanding access to vital services, and strengthening frontline programs in communities nationwide.  

The text of the legislation, along with the accompanying joint explanatory statement, is available for review.   

Select provisions in the bill include:  

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)  

• • • • $818.7 million for the Title V MCH Block Grant, which includes level funding of $593.308 million for the state formula fund and a $5 million increase to the Special Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS) portion of Title V compared to FY25. This is contrary to the proposed $46.449 million decrease that passed in the House last September. 
      • $8 million for the Maternal Mental Health Hotline, an increase of $1 million above FY25.
      • Restores funding for Healthy Start with an increase to $145.25 million. This rejects the proposal to eliminate the program from the President’s Budget and the September-passed House bill. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  

• • • • $113.5 million for the Safe Motherhood/Infant Health line within the Division of Reproductive Health, which houses programs such as ERASE MM (federal support for maternal mortality review committees), Perinatal Quality Collaboratives, the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Systems (PRAMS), and more. This is a $3 million increase from FY25. 
      • $205.06 million for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), a decrease of $1 million below FY25 levels. 
      • $23 million for CDC’s Surveillance to Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies (SET-NET).

Preventing Maternal Deaths Act and Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Act – These bills work together to tackle the high rates of infant and maternal mortality in the United States by funding critical research and community programs. The Preventing Maternal Deaths Act provides federal support for states to investigate the causes of maternal deaths in order to identify prevention opportunities, and the PREEMIE Act focuses on preventing premature births and improving care for specialized infant needs. By supporting these laws, the federal government ensures that providers have the data and resources they need to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for every family. 

Grant Management – The following language was included in the joint explanatory statement: “[The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)] is directed to consult with the Committees prior to terminating grants. The agreement includes a provision requiring notification to the Committees no less than three days prior to announcing or providing notice of a grant termination.” 

Payment Management System (PMS) – The legislation codifies the directive for HHS to notify Congress of any PMS outages and any payment delays or disruptions in the PMS distribution of funds exceeding 14 days for individual payees. It further directs HHS to 1) provide advance notice to Congress prior to implementing any restrictions that would delay disbursement of funds to grantees through PMS and 2) ensure that disbursements through PMS are processed within five business days, except under extraordinary circumstances. 

HHS Workforce and Reorganization – The following language was included in the legislative text: “[HHS] shall support staffing levels necessary to fulfill its statutory responsibilities including carrying out programs, projects, and activities funded in this title of this Act in a timely manner…” Further, HHS is required to submit a detailed plan and justification to Congress not less than 60 days prior to initiating any reorganization that moves CDC functions to another component of HHS. 

This legislative package was released as the nation continues to face persistently high infant and maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Communities rely on strong, well-resourced MCH programs to address the drivers of poor outcomes and gaps in access to care. Collectively, robust funding for the multitude of federally-supported MCH programs strengthens federal, state, and local capacity to improve outcomes, advance evidence-based solutions, and strengthen and sustain the systems that support mothers, children, and families. AMCHP is grateful to Chair Collins, Vice Chair Murray, Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, and the full committees for their work to advance bipartisan legislation that works towards strengthening the health and well-being of mothers, children, and families. AMCHP is also thankful to the many longstanding maternal and child health champions in Congress whose leadership and commitment continue to drive progress for families nationwide. 

This bill is the result of consistent advocacy from AMCHP – including standing up the Maternal and Child Health Appropriations Alliance (MCHAA), a growing coalition of national organizations focused on ensuring robust funding and sustained investments in MCH – along with national partners and advocates to ensure congressional offices are aware of the importance of MCH programs and sustained federal investment in public health. Learn more about MCHAA, including the recently held MCH Funding Week of Action. 

AMCHP continues to press for robust funding increases to maternal and child health programs, and our Government Affairs Team will continue to follow the FY26 and FY27 appropriations process and provide additional updates. To hear more on the policy developments impacting MCH, please register for the AMCHP Policy & Partnership Town Hall Series.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Government Affairs Team with questions: Sherie Lou Santos (ssantos@amchp.org), Gabrielle Galusha (ggalusha@amchp.org), and Kylie Foster (kfoster@amchp.org).