H.R. 8074: Kira Johnson Act
The Kira Johnson Act aims to address and reduce preventable maternal deaths and severe health complications associated with childbirth in the United States, while closing the disparities in maternal health outcomes among different demographic groups. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of the bill:
Funding for Community-Based Organizations
- The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to community-based organizations. These grants are intended to help these organizations enhance programs aimed at improving maternal health equity.- Eligible organizations must offer evidence-based practices that target groups with higher rates of maternal mortality and complications.- There is an outreach period for one year after the bill's enactment, during which the Secretary will encourage and assist potential applicants for the grants.- Special focus will be given to organizations that are community-led and address specific health outcomes for at-risk groups.Training for Maternity Care Providers
- The bill mandates the development of training programs for all personnel in maternity care settings. These programs will aim to reduce bias and discrimination, and promote culturally and linguistically appropriate care.- The training will include ongoing education on implicit bias, trauma-informed care, and the importance of diverse health care teams.Study on Bias in Maternity Care
- HHS will collaborate with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on how to mitigate bias and discrimination in maternity care settings.- The study will provide recommendations for training programs and assess their effectiveness in improving health outcomes for marginalized groups.Respectful Maternity Care Compliance Program
- The bill will establish a compliance program within hospitals and maternity care facilities that will allow for the reporting and addressing of incidents of bias or discrimination during maternity care.- Hospitals will be required to develop strategies that publicly detail their anti-bias training, data on reports received, and the impact of these measures on patient care.Annual Reports and Accountability
- There will be mandatory reporting requirements for organizations that receive grant funding and compliance program funding. These reports will document progress, outcomes, and improvements in maternal health care.- By 2031, the Secretary of HHS is tasked with submitting an evaluation of the grant program’s effectiveness in improving maternal health outcomes.Funding
- The bill proposes to allocate $100 million per year from 2027 through 2031 specifically for community-based maternal health programs and an additional $5 million annually for respectful maternity care training.Definitions
- The bill also includes definitions for key terms such as "maternal mortality," "severe maternal morbidity," and "social determinants of maternal health" to clarify the specific issues it addresses.Goal
- Overall, the Kira Johnson Act aims to systematically improve maternal health care in the U.S. by emphasizing equity and training, thereby reducing the gaps and improving outcomes for all women, especially those from high-risk demographic groups.Relevant Companies
- HCA Healthcare (HCA): As a large health care provider, HCA may have to adapt its maternity care practices to comply with new regulations under the bill.
- UnitedHealth Group (UNH): As a major health insurer, changes in maternal health legislation could affect UnitedHealth's policies and coverage options related to maternity care.
- Anthem, Inc. (ANTM): Anthem may need to adjust its healthcare plans to align with the bill's requirements for maternal health services.
- Centene Corporation (CNC): Centene, a healthcare enterprise, will likely assess how the bill impacts its own maternal health programs and partnerships with local health organizations.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
62 bill sponsors
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TrackAlma S. Adams
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TrackNanette Diaz Barragán
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TrackJoyce Beatty
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TrackWesley Bell
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TrackNikki Budzinski
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TrackAndré Carson
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TrackSheila Cherfilus-McCormick
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TrackYvette D. Clarke
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TrackSteve Cohen
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TrackHerbert Conaway
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TrackAngie Craig
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TrackMadeleine Dean
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TrackSuzan K. DelBene
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TrackDebbie Dingell
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TrackShomari Figures
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TrackJohn Garamendi
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TrackJesús G. "Chuy" García
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TrackJosh Gottheimer
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TrackAl Green
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TrackJahana Hayes
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TrackSteven Horsford
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TrackGlenn Ivey
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TrackJonathan L. Jackson
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TrackSara Jacobs
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TrackJulie Johnson
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TrackHenry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.
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TrackSydney Kamlager-Dove
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TrackRaja Krishnamoorthi
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TrackGeorge Latimer
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TrackTed Lieu
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TrackLucy McBath
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TrackJennifer L. McClellan
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TrackMorgan McGarvey
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TrackLaMonica McIver
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TrackGwen Moore
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TrackSeth Moulton
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TrackKevin Mullin
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TrackEleanor Holmes Norton
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TrackAyanna Pressley
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TrackAndrea Salinas
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TrackMary Gay Scanlon
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TrackBradley Scott Schneider
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TrackRobert C. "Bobby" Scott
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TrackDavid Scott
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TrackTerri A. Sewell
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TrackAdam Smith
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TrackDarren Soto
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TrackMelanie A. Stansbury
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TrackMarilyn Strickland
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TrackEmilia Strong Sykes
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TrackMark Takano
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TrackRashida Tlaib
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TrackPaul Tonko
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TrackLauren Underwood
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TrackJuan Vargas
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TrackMarc A. Veasey
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TrackEugene Vindman
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TrackBonnie Watson Coleman
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TrackNikema Williams
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TrackFrederica S. Wilson
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Tracknan
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Tracknan
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Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Mar. 25, 2026 | Introduced in House |
| Mar. 25, 2026 | Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. |
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