CBO Scores the Data Mapping to Save Mom's Lives Act

The Data Mapping to Save Mom's Lives Act (S. 3152) would require the Federal Communications Commission to incorporate data on maternal health outcomes into its most recently available broadband health mapping tools. In addition, the bill would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of Internet connectivity in reducing maternal morbidity rates.

Using information about the cost of broadband mapping, CBO estimates that it would cost the FCC less than $500,000 to update its broadband health maps to incorporate maternal health outcomes. However, because the FCC is authorized to collect fees each year sufficient to offset the appropriated costs of its regulatory activities, CBO estimates that the net cost to the FCC would be negligible, assuming appropriation actions consistent with that authority. CBO estimates that it would cost the GAO less than $500,000 to complete the required report.

If the FCC increases annual fee collections to offset the costs of implementing provisions in the bill, S. 3152 would increase the cost of an existing private-sector mandate on entities required to pay those fees. CBO estimates that the incremental cost of the mandate would be small and would fall well below the annual threshold established in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act for private-sector mandates ($168 million in 2020, adjusted annually for inflation).