South OC Times

Washington, DC – On June 21, 2023, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) introduced the Protecting Moms and Infants Reauthorization Act to provide resources for pregnant and postpartum women with substance abuse disorders. 

This bipartisan bill reauthorizes the Services Program for Residential Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women, a grant program at the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, that supports public and nonprofit entities that provide comprehensive services for pregnant and postpartum women facing substance abuse disorders to help support and sustain recovery. Services include Substance-Use Disorder treatment planning and recovery, parenting training, mental health counseling, and harm reduction interventions.  

“As a mother of four grown children who are now having families of their own, I have experienced and seen glimpses of the many maternal health challenges women face during and after pregnancy. Moms are warriors who keep our communities running and deserve our bipartisan support,” said Rep. Kim, who serves as co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus. “The Protecting Moms and Infants Reauthorization Act ensures that mothers, as well as their impacted children and family members, who struggle with substance abuse disorders can continue receiving vital treatment they need for a lasting recovery. I am proud to work on this bipartisan bill with Rep. Glusenkamp Perez and will keep fighting for maternity care solutions.” 

“Substance use disorders touch every community, and tragically, moms and expecting mothers are no exception,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “We need to make sure these women have access to the stable housing and treatment they need to get to and stay in recovery, and our bipartisan bill makes that possible. I’d like to thank Rep. Kim for partnering with me on this effort to make sure moms living with substance use disorders are set up for a healthy, successful future.” 

Bill text can be found here.