H.R. 6765 — Safe Passages Act of 2025

This section sets forth congressional findings on global maternal mortality (approximately 287,000 deaths annually, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 70% at a rate of 442 per 100,000 live births compared to 14 per 100,000 in developed countries), its primary causes (e.g., postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia), impacts on children (e.g., 20-fold increased neonatal mortality risk and 4–6 times greater risk for young children), the critical first 1,000 days of life for maternal and child health, the role of fathers' support, and successful models such as Maternal Life International’s “Safe Passages” program.

This section declares the purpose of the Act to advance and fund life-affirming maternal and child health interventions that (1) equip local providers, including midwives, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and community health workers, with life-affirming training to prevent, recognize, and manage leading causes of maternal and perinatal death and complications; (2) provide medical resources, training, and emergency obstetric equipment for skilled life-affirming management of obstetrical and perinatal complications; (3) provide education and support for health care and nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life; (4) provide education and support for fathers regarding their support and responsibility for the well-being of the mother and child; (5) support a continuum of life-affirming care for women and men, including pre-conception health, fertility health and awareness, healthy child spacing, natural family planning, safe birth, and postpartum mental health; and (6) operate in alignment with respect for life at all stages from conception to natural death and strengthening the family.

This section establishes the Safe Passages Maternal and Child Health Program, a global initiative through FY2030 to reduce maternal and child mortality in low- and lower-middle-income countries with high rates through faith-based health partnerships, community-based care, collaboration with national health systems, and life-affirming health interventions. The program supports life-affirming training and resource assistance for (1) prevention, recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of obstetrical hemorrhage and complications including postpartum anemia; (2) preeclampsia and other hypertensive, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders of pregnancy and their complications up to one year postpartum; (3) infections and complications associated with ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, normal pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum; (4) obstructed labor and complications including uterine rupture and obstetric fistulas; (5) reduction of fetal, perinatal, neonatal, and infant mortality including stillbirth through addressing fetal distress, newborn asphyxia, birth trauma, intrauterine growth restriction, premature birth, small size for gestational age, neonatal infections, and sepsis; (6) nutritional and health education and resources for mothers and children during the first 1,000 days of life (i.e., from conception to age two), coordinated with the office leading global food security; (7) evidence-based natural fertility awareness methods; and (8) increasing fathers’ support and involvement. The Secretary of State must prioritize implementation through efficient and reliable global health partnerships, favoring local faith-based providers and faith-based organizations with experience in maternal and child health in resource-limited settings.

This section revises subsection (c) of section 104 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prioritize maternal and child health and nutrition assistance consistent with the Safe Passages Maternal and Child Health Program, including prevention and treatment of obstetric complications (e.g., hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, sepsis, obstructed labor, neonatal resuscitation), maternal nutrition support, health care for children through the first 1,000 days of life from conception to age two, and support for fathers' involvement in maternal and child care; promotes natural fertility awareness methods; and prohibits use for abortion or abortion-related services. (As background, section 104 authorizes foreign assistance for voluntary family planning and health programs in developing countries to reduce population growth rates and improve health conditions.) The section further requires not less than $400 million annually from the Global Health Programs account for the Safe Passages program and these amended health assistance provisions, including life-affirming activities that (1) prevent maternal, fetal, and neonatal deaths; (2) promote natural fertility awareness and couple-centered care; (3) train on and respond to leading causes of maternal mortality and late postpartum complications; (4) address leading causes of infant mortality; (5) uphold care for both mother and child; and (6) engage fathers.

This section directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress, not later than two years after enactment of this Act and biennially thereafter, a report detailing (1) the number of trainings offered, providers and cadres trained (including midwives, physicians, community health workers, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and other birth attendants), and training curricula content; (2) training effectiveness, measured rigorously via pre- and post-training assessments of knowledge and skills improvements; (3) initial and annual co-investments by private industry and foreign governments; (4) sustainability plans and timelines for recipient organizations and governments; (5) the number of facilities receiving support for upgrades (such as basic lab tests, blood transfusion services, second-line uterotonics for postpartum hemorrhage, broad-spectrum antibiotics, referral and transport systems for rural facilities, and ultrasound services for high-risk pregnancies) and the nature of those upgrades; (6) any support for establishing revolving capital funds; (7) community- and hospital-level data comparing maternal, fetal, neonatal, and infant morbidity and mortality in served versus unserved areas; (8) regions and facilities served; (9) estimated maternal and child lives saved; and (10) compliance with U.S. foreign assistance restrictions and goals of this Act.