REDMOND, Washington — “As a mom and grandma, I know nothing matters more than the health of our children,” stated Rep. Young Kim [R-CA] on July 2, 2026.
Along with Reps. Dina Titus [D-NV] and Michael Lawler [R-NY] as original cosponsors, Kim introduced the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Act. The bill aims to reduce maternal and child mortality rates while advancing United States (U.S.) foreign policy interests. As of August 2026, it remains in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs awaiting consideration.
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
Though only recently introduced in Congress, the phrase “Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies” actually predates the 2026 bill by several decades. The term was popularized in the 1980s through the U.S. nonprofit, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.
Funded by federal agencies and several health care partners, the 1981 organization shared many of the same goals as the current 2026 bill. In fact, its main intention was to improve access to prenatal care and maternal health education, though its interests did lie mainly with U.S. populations. Recently, many global health institutions have also adopted the phrase, with the World Health Organization (WHO) even declaring maternal and newborn health the focus of its 2025 World Health Day.
Background and Basics
Being a focus of these governmental and healthcare institutions has certainly improved maternal and newborn health worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, neonatal deaths have decreased by 44% since 2000.
Yet, the progress is far from over. Approximately 260,000 women die each year from preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, and millions of children lose their lives due to preventable complications from preterm birth or infectious disease.
The Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Act works to reduce these deaths by improving care before, during, and after childbirth. Its objectives include strengthening nutrition programs, treating childhood infectious diseases and increasing immunizations. However, its primary focus lies in expanding access to multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS). In low-resource settings, especially those dealing with extreme poverty, poor diets due to limited food access contribute to many deficiencies. MMS are available as tablets containing 15 essential vitamins and minerals, including iron and folic acid.
Proper nutrition supports women’ s health and fetal development. At just $4 per pregnancy, MMS offers a cost-effective solution to reducing maternal and child mortality rates.
Strategy
A selection process determines which countries receive this aid, considering factors such as rates of malnutrition and local government commitment.
After selecting the countries and implementing low-cost interventions, the foreign assistance agency is expected to submit annual reports to Congress for five years on progress in expanding multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS), along with other results.
Benefits to the US
While this bill seeks to improve maternal and child health in developing countries, its benefits are not limited to foreign populations. In fact, when MMS became the focus of global investments, multiple philanthropies – including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF) and Kirk Humanitarian – jointly pledged $250 million to expand access to the supplements.
This investment supports American jobs, as MMS prenatal vitamins are manufactured in the United States. It was also intended to encourage additional funding from international partners.
In addition to its economic benefits, investing in cost-effective maternal and child health interventions strengthens the United States’ diplomatic and commercial relationships. By reducing preventable deaths, these programs help create healthier, more stable societies. In turn, this advances U.S. foreign policy and national security by strengthening partnerships with other countries.
Looking Ahead
As of August 2026, the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Act remains under consideration, and because the bill is still in committee, its future remains uncertain. However, the broader goal to improve maternal and child health is already well underway. The bill simply builds on these existing efforts by providing additional support, funding and accountability. Ultimately, its success will depend on congressional action, but if enacted, has the potential to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths, and help create healthier futures for families around the world.
– Diya Rajkumar
Diya is based in Redmond, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr