Feenstra Supports Legislation to Improve Maternal and Child Health Outcomes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, H.R. 8876, the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022. This legislation, which honors the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN), would reauthorize the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program through Fiscal Year 2027.

MIECHV provides grants to states, tribes, territories, and nonprofits to develop and implement evidence-based, voluntary home visitation programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

“Early childhood home visiting is vital to the long-term health and wellbeing of our families, expectant mothers, and their children. With the support of a trained professional, young parents can better navigate the challenges of raising a family and providing for their children,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Having received my doctorate in healthcare administration with an emphasis in maternal health outcomes, I am proud to support this critical legislation in honor of our late colleague Jackie Walorski, who was a dedicated advocate for America’s families. In Congress, I will continue to be a strong voice for our families and our children.”

More specifically, this legislation requires the Department of Health and Human Services to work with states, beneficiary advocates, and home visiting models to reduce administrative burden to monitor family outcomes. It also authorizes a new, annually updated “outcomes dashboard” to help Congress and the public track MIECHV’s success in improving family outcomes in every state or territory.

You can read more about this legislation HERE.

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