H.R. 6394 — Midwives for MOMS Act of 2025

This section establishes a grant program under new section 760A of the Public Health Service Act (inserted after section 760) authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to institutions of higher education to (1) provide direct support to students in accredited midwifery schools or programs, (2) establish or expand such schools or programs, and (3) secure or increase qualified preceptors for student training. In awarding grants, the Secretary must prioritize institutions that admit students planning to practice in health professional shortage areas and that recruit and retain students from rural or economically disadvantaged communities (e.g., via mentorship or internships) and is prohibited from funding midwifery programs within schools of nursing; $15 million is authorized for FY2026 through 2030, with 50 percent allocated to student support, 25 percent to program establishment or expansion, and 25 percent to preceptors. This section also amends definitions in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act to include accredited midwifery schools or programs.

This section establishes a Midwifery Expansion Program authorizing the Secretary of HHS to award grants to schools of nursing (1) for direct support of students in accredited nurse-midwifery schools or programs, (2) to establish or expand accredited nurse-midwifery schools or programs, and (3) to secure, prepare, or support preceptors at clinical training sites for students training to become certified nurse-midwives. In awarding grants, the Secretary must give priority to schools that agree to prioritize students pursuing advanced nurse-midwifery education to practice in health professional shortage areas and that demonstrate efforts to recruit and retain students from rural and economically disadvantaged communities (e.g., through enhanced recruitment, mentorship, academic remediation, internships, or fellowships). The section authorizes $20 million for FY2026 through 2030, with amounts allocated as 50% for direct student support, 25% for program establishment or expansion, and 25% for preceptor support.