Bipartisan Bill Co-led by Sen. Scott to Support Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Mothers Heads to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON - This week, the U.S. Senate passed the Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act, a bill that Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) helped lead with Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.). This bipartisan bill passed the Senate by voice vote as a part of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act and is headed to the president's desk to be signed into law.

The Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act reauthorizes residential treatment programs and improves targeted outreach to pregnant and postpartum women facing substance use disorder and mental health challenges.

"By extending and strengthening these programs, this bill will provide lifesaving care and support for mothers and families in South Carolina and nationwide," said Senator Scott. "I'm pleased that this bipartisan bill that will support pregnant and postpartum women during a vulnerable and critical period is now headed to the president's desk to be signed into law."

This legislation also reauthorizes Mom's IMProving Access to Maternal Health and Substance Use Disorder Care Through Telemedicine and Telemonitoring (IMPACTT), a pilot program in South Carolina based on a partnership between the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and the South Carolina Office of Substance Use Services. This program uses telehealth services to provide mental health and substance use disorder resources for pregnant and postpartum mothers and the providers who care for them.

Senators Scott and Luján were joined on the legislation by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

Read the full text of the Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act here.

###