Bill Overview
Title: Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act
Description: This act directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to include data on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in its broadband health mapping tool. This is an online platform that allows users to visualize, overlay, and analyze broadband and health data at national, state, and county levels. The FCC must consult with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the data to incorporate into the tool.
Sponsors: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: Women of childbearing age and newborn children
Estimated Size: 61600000
- The bill is primarily aimed at improving maternal health outcomes, implicating expecting and current mothers as a central group impacted.
- By enhancing data available on broadband connectivity in relation to maternal health, the healthcare infrastructure may improve, indirectly affecting healthcare providers who support maternal care.
- Maternal health outcomes could refer to various statistics such as maternal mortality rates, access to pre-natal and post-natal care, and other health indicators relevant to mothers.
- The inclusion of maternal health data in broadband mapping tools suggests it could potentially benefit regions with broadband access issues, indirectly aiding communities with limited internet access.
- Accurate and detailed data could aid policymakers and health agencies to target areas in need effectively, therefore impacting local and national health agencies.
- The study on the effectiveness of internet connectivity in improving maternal health may result in future measures or funding aimed at increasing broadband access in underserved areas, impacting lower-income and rural communities.
Reasoning
- The policy is likely to have varying effects on different groups within the target population. Women of childbearing age and new mothers in areas with poor internet connectivity might experience a significant benefit from improvements in maternal health outcomes facilitated by better data from broadband mapping.
- Rural areas and low-income neighborhoods, often with limited broadband access, might see greater impacts due to the policy, as it aims to identify and address disparities in maternal health outcomes related to connectivity.
- Healthcare providers working in maternal health may also be indirectly affected through improved access to data and resources, potentially leading to more targeted and effective interventions.
- Improved maternal health outcomes are likely to have a positive effect on families and communities, though some individuals may not feel direct benefits if they already have adequate access to healthcare services.
Simulated Interviews
Stay-at-home mom (Rural Alabama)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It is hard to access good prenatal care here due to poor internet connection.
- I hope this policy can highlight our challenges and bring better health services to us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Software engineer (Suburban California)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I already have good access to healthcare as I live in a well-connected area.
- I'm glad efforts are being made for others, but I don't expect personal changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Healthcare worker (Urban Ohio)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might help us get better resources to understand our patient demographics.
- It's a step towards addressing healthcare inequality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Elementary school teacher (Rural West Virginia)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The healthcare infrastructure in our area could really use improvements.
- I hope this policy brings the attention needed to fix longstanding issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Nurse (Urban New York)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems crucial for areas with less access, though our urban setting is well-served.
- Awareness it generates could indirectly benefit overall national maternal care priorities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freelancer (Suburban Texas)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a freelancer, internet access is crucial for my work and staying informed about health services.
- This policy could improve the quality of information available to mothers like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Community health worker (Remote Alaska)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our work could be enhanced with better data on health outcomes and internet access.
- I see potential for significant community benefit if these issues are addressed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (Rural Montana)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope that better broadband will provide better health resources, especially as everything goes digital.
- This kind of policy is needed to catch up on services available in cities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Student (Suburban Florida)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it's great for underserved areas, my current healthcare access feels sufficient.
- Policies like this might ensure longevity of proper maternal health support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Data analyst (Urban Illinois)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative could offer valuable insights for public health shaping.
- I believe data-driven plans enhance resource allocation effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $18000000 (Low: $14000000, High: $22000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $19000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $13000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Key Considerations
- Accuracy and timeliness of maternal health data collection and integration into the mapping tool are critical for effectiveness.
- Coordination between the FCC, CDC, and GAO is necessary for data alignment and fulfilling research objectives.
- Sustainability of financial and technical resources for maintaining the mapping tool must be ensured.