H.R. 7912: Neonatal Care Transparency Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Neonatal Care Transparency Act of 2026, mandates that hospitals and healthcare practitioners provide clear information regarding the policies they have in place for providing life-saving care to premature infants. Here are the key points of the legislation:

Disclosure Requirements for Hospitals

Hospitals will be required to publicly disclose their policies related to:

• Whether there is a minimum gestational age at which life-saving care will be offered to infants born prematurely.
• If the decision to provide life-saving care is made on a case-by-case basis.
• The procedures for transferring infants and mothers to another facility, if the hospital cannot provide the necessary care.

Disclosure Requirements for Practitioners

Obstetricians and other healthcare providers must disclose this same information about the hospitals where they have admitting privileges during a patient’s first prenatal visit. This ensures that expectant parents are aware of the care their infant might receive, especially in the case of premature birth.

Amendments to the Social Security Act

The bill amends the Social Security Act to require that, starting January 1, 2026, hospitals must meet these disclosure requirements in order to be eligible for Federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding. Hospitals and obstetric care providers that fail to meet these requirements would risk losing federal funding.

Goals of the Legislation

The overall goal of the bill is to improve transparency within neonatal care practices, especially for infants born prematurely. It aims to ensure that parents have all the necessary information to understand the treatment options available to their premature infants, thereby supporting informed decision-making regarding their care.

Findings Supporting the Legislation

The bill is based on several findings:

• Hospitals have different capabilities when it comes to resuscitating premature infants.
• Parents often arrive at hospitals expecting certain medical interventions, which may not be available for infants born before specific gestational ages.
• Some hospitals do not provide care for infants born before 22 weeks, while others do.
• Optimal outcomes for premature infants are linked to the level of intervention consistently offered at the facility.
• Parents seek clear, transparent information about the potential care their newborn might receive.

Implementation Timeline

The new requirements will come into effect 180 days after the bill is enacted, allowing time for hospitals and healthcare providers to prepare and comply with the new regulations.

Relevant Companies

• None found