Sponsors (62)
Introduced March 25, 2026 by Alma Adams · Last progress March 25, 2026
The bill directs new federal funding, training, definitions, and reporting to reduce maternal health disparities and improve culturally respectful care—particularly for racial and ethnic minority birthing people—but does so at the cost of increased federal spending, added administrative burdens that may favor larger institutions, and possible delays or uneven implementation without sustained appropriations and strong data practices.
Pregnant and postpartum people—especially racial and ethnic minorities—are likely to see better maternal outcomes and patient experience because the bill funds respectful, culturally- and trauma-informed care, bias-reduction programs, and expanded community-based services.
Pregnant and postpartum people gain expanded continuity of care because the postpartum period is extended to one year and maternal mortality definitions are broadened to include suicide, overdose, and SUD-related deaths, bringing more attention and resources to perinatal mental health and substance use treatment.
Hospitals, clinics, and the health workforce benefit from investments in workforce development (training, CEUs, midwifery support, and pipeline programs) plus technical assistance, which can increase local provider capacity and culturally concordant care.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending—including a $100 million/year authorization and multiple other open-ended or multi-year authorizations—which could add to budgetary commitments or require higher appropriations.
Hospitals, clinics, and providers may incur substantial administrative, compliance, and reporting costs to implement programs, collect and deidentify data, and respond to oversight requests.
Limited authorized funding levels in some programs and variability or gaps in data collection could constrain the scale and effectiveness of interventions and make evaluation results inconclusive for parts of the country.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Creates grants, studies, reporting, and technical assistance to reduce maternal health disparities, prevent bias in maternity care, and establish respectful maternity care compliance programs.
Provides federal grants, studies, reporting, and technical assistance to reduce maternal health disparities, prevent bias and racism in maternity care, and establish respectful maternity care compliance programs in hospitals and community settings. It funds community-based organizations, creates a bias-prevention grant program, directs a National Academies study, requires hospital compliance programs with reporting and follow-up procedures, and mandates GAO monitoring and annual reports. Focus areas include outreach and capacity building for community groups, culturally and linguistically congruent and trauma-informed care, mental health and substance-use supports, perinatal workforce supports (including midwifery), routine collection and reporting of patient experience data, and defined timelines and funding authorizations for program implementation and evaluation.