H.R. 8089: Perinatal Workforce Act
This bill, known as the Perinatal Workforce Act, aims to enhance and diversify the perinatal workforce in the United States by implementing several measures focused on improving maternal health care. Here are the key components of the bill:
1. Guidance for States
The bill instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide guidance to states within two years of its enactment. This guidance will educate various health care providers and insurers on the importance of respectful maternal health care and will encourage them to:
- Recruit and retain maternity care providers from diverse backgrounds.
- Include multidisciplinary professionals in maternity care teams.
- Provide culturally and linguistically congruent care.
- Offer job shadowing opportunities for students in accredited midwifery programs.
2. Study on Maternal Care
HHS, through the National Institutes of Health, is tasked with conducting a study on effective methods for delivering respectful and culturally sensitive maternity care. The study's findings are to be reported within two years and will highlight best practices and examples of successful maternal care implementations.
3. Grants for Workforce Development
The bill includes provisions for the Secretary to award grants aimed at establishing programs that grow and diversify the perinatal workforce. These grants can be used for:
- Creating or expanding educational programs for midwives, perinatal health workers, and physician assistants focused on maternal health.
- Aiding existing programs to increase enrollment, particularly for students from diverse backgrounds.
Priority for these grants will be given to programs demonstrating a commitment to diversity and recruitment from underrepresented groups, particularly in areas with significant health disparities.
4. Nursing Workforce Grants
This section focuses on increasing the pool of nursing professionals specializing in maternal and perinatal health. Grants will be awarded to nursing schools to:
- Provide scholarships for nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists focused on maternal health.
- Encourage the recruitment of underrepresented students into these programs.
5. Reporting Requirements
Entities receiving grants must submit annual reports detailing the demographics of students involved, their career paths, and the effectiveness of bias training included in the curriculum. The Secretary will also provide a comprehensive report on the grant program's success within four years of its implementation.
6. GAO Report on Barriers
The bill mandates a report by the Comptroller General of the United States every five years assessing barriers to maternal health education and care access. This includes evaluating challenges faced by racial and ethnic minority groups and proposing recommendations to enhance access and equity in care.
7. Definitions
The bill establishes key definitions, including:
- Culturally and Linguistically Congruent Care: Care that aligns with the cultural values and language of health care consumers.
- Maternity Care Provider: Includes professionals like physicians, midwives, and lactation consultants focused on maternal health.
- Perinatal Health Worker: Nonclinical roles focused on maternal health, such as doulas and community health workers.
Relevant Companies
- UNH - UnitedHealth Group: As a major health insurer, this legislation may prompt adjustments in policies related to maternal health services.
- HCA - HCA Healthcare: A large network of hospitals that could be affected by recruitment guidelines and training requirements from new workforce initiatives.
- CI - Cigna: This insurance company might need to realign its maternity care policies in response to the emphasis on culturally competent services.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
43 bill sponsors
-
TrackGwen Moore
Sponsor
-
TrackAlma S. Adams
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJoyce Beatty
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackWesley Bell
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAndré Carson
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackYvette D. Clarke
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSteve Cohen
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackHerbert Conaway
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAngie Craig
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSuzan K. DelBene
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDebbie Dingell
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackShomari Figures
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJohn Garamendi
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJesús G. "Chuy" García
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJahana Hayes
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSteven Horsford
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackGlenn Ivey
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSara Jacobs
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJulie Johnson
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackHenry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSydney Kamlager-Dove
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRaja Krishnamoorthi
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackGeorge Latimer
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackLucy McBath
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMorgan McGarvey
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackLaMonica McIver
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSeth Moulton
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackEleanor Holmes Norton
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAyanna Pressley
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRobert C. "Bobby" Scott
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackTerri A. Sewell
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAdam Smith
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDarren Soto
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMelanie A. Stansbury
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMark Takano
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRashida Tlaib
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackLauren Underwood
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMarc A. Veasey
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackBonnie Watson Coleman
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackFrederica S. Wilson
Co-Sponsor
-
Tracknan
Co-Sponsor
-
Tracknan
Co-Sponsor
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Mar. 25, 2026 | Introduced in House |
| Mar. 25, 2026 | Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. |
Corporate Lobbying
0 companies lobbying
None found.
* Note that there can be significant delays in lobbying disclosures, and our data may be incomplete.
