H.R. 8869: Traumatic Births Research Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Traumatic Births Research Act of 2026, aims to address and research the impacts of traumatic birth experiences and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on mothers, infants, and families. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

Research Authorization

The bill amends existing laws to enhance research efforts into the effects of traumatic birth experiences on mental health, specifically:

• Mental Health Impact: Studying how traumatic birth experiences and PTSD affect both short- and long-term mental health of mothers.
• Family Impacts: Researching the broader impacts on families, including how these experiences affect infants and overall family dynamics.
• Maternal Morbidity: Investigating the relationship between severe maternal health issues and traumatic birth experiences.

Data Collection and Disaggregation

The bill specifies that the research findings must be disaggregated by race and ethnicity. This requirement aims to provide a more detailed understanding of how different demographics might be affected by traumatic birth experiences.

Funding Provisions

To support these research efforts, the bill authorizes funding:

• Annual Funding: It allocates $1,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 to 2031 for research purposes related to traumatic births.
• Pilot Projects: Additional funding will be available for pilot projects studying midwife-driven care models and their impact on traumatic births and maternal mental health.

Reports to Congress

The Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with submitting reports to Congress about the progress and findings from the research. An interim report is due by the end of fiscal year 2028, followed by a final report by the end of fiscal year 2030. These reports will detail:

• The research conducted under the new provisions.
• Findings from the pilot project on midwife-driven care models.

Eligibility for Grants

The bill expands eligibility for receiving grants to include:

• States
• Indian Tribes
• Tribal Organizations

Definition Clarifications

It also clarifies definitions as they relate to the entities eligible for funding and support under the bill.

Pilot Project on Midwife-Driven Care

A specific pilot project is authorized to grant funding for research focused on how midwife-driven care affects:

• The experiences of traumatic births.
• Maternal mental health outcomes as compared to traditional medical care models.

Relevant Companies

• HLT (Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.): May be impacted through related health service partnerships or programs that incorporate mental health support for mothers under legislation.
• DHR (Danaher Corporation): May engage in research partnerships or develop products related to maternal and infant health technology.