Bill · S. 5574· Senate(119-S-5574)
NEST Act
- Introduced
- 9/29/2026
- Last activity
- 9/29/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Kim
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the NEST Act, requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to run a program that distributes newborn supply kits to mothers of newborn infants. Under this program, grants or cooperative agreements are awarded to eligible nonprofit entities, community-based organizations, health centers, Tribal organizations, and birthing hospitals. These kits include essential items to help mothers recover from childbirth and care for their newborns, such as diapers, postpartum pads, blood pressure monitors, and educational materials. The bill prioritizes geographic areas with the greatest need, such as rural communities and maternity care deserts, as well as lower-income families. Finally, the bill requires reports to be submitted to Congress and authorizes $5,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 19
Would children be better off under this?+6
The bill provides essential newborn supplies such as diapers, wipes, and blankets directly to support infant health and care.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+6
The bill explicitly prioritizes families with incomes under 185 percent of the poverty line for receiving valuable newborn and postpartum supply kits.
Would women be better off under this?+6
The bill provides crucial postpartum recovery items, blood pressure monitors, and health hotlines directly to mothers following childbirth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Mothers and Newborns: Section 399V-8(c) provides newborn supply kits containing essential items like diapers, wipes, postpartum pads, breastfeeding supplies, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors to help mothers recover from childbirth and care for their infants.
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Priority for Communities in Need: Section 399V-8(b)(2)(C) ensures that organizations distributing the kits give priority to geographic areas with the greatest need, such as rural communities, maternity care deserts, and areas with the highest maternal mortality rates.
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Assistance for Low-Income Families: Section 399V-8(b)(2)(D) gives priority for the kits to mothers or newborn infants whose family income does not exceed 185 percent of the poverty line.
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Health Education and Resources: Section 399V-8(c)(2) includes information on hotlines for maternal mental health and breastfeeding, educational materials on low-dose aspirin for hypertension and preeclampsia, and information about federal support programs like WIC.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline potential negative consequences, burdens, or negative impacts for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+6Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Women+6Good For Native Americans+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For African Americans+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Immigrants+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Urban Residents+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+5Improves Mental Health Access+4Increases Medicaid Funding+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+4Improves Racial Equity+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- 9/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska