FCC Chairwoman Letter to CDC Director on Maternal Health Collaboration

On December 20, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act. This Act directs the Federal Communications Commission to incorporate, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), publicly available data on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity into its Mapping Broadband Health in America platform by June 18, 2023. At present, the FCC is laser-focused on increasing access to critical broadband resources—resources that can support telehealth and related services that can make a tangible difference in maternal health, especially in underserved populations and areas. The Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act can help identify how we can expand these efforts. With the support of the CDC, the updated mapping platform can provide actionable insights for policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and other stakeholders about the intersection of broadband and maternal health.