S. 4195: Kira Johnson Act
The Kira Johnson Act is designed to address maternal health disparities, particularly those affecting Black pregnant and postpartum individuals and other underserved populations. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill aims to accomplish:
Sustained Funding for Community-Based Organizations
The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to community-based organizations that focus on improving maternal health outcomes in communities with high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. The funding would be available from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with an intended appropriation of $100 million each year. The grants are to support programs that are evidence-based and specifically tailored to improve health outcomes for groups with significant maternal health disparities.
Respectful Maternity Care Training
The Secretary will also award grants for training programs aimed at reducing bias and discrimination in maternity care. These programs will:
- Be applicable to all maternity care providers and staff who interact with pregnant and postpartum individuals.
- Emphasize ongoing, periodic training rather than one-time sessions.
- Focus on topics like implicit bias, cultural humility, and trauma-informed care.
Evaluation and Study Requirements
The bill requires several evaluations and studies to monitor effectiveness:
- The Secretary must submit an evaluation of the grant program by the end of fiscal year 2031.
- A separate study will be conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to explore best practices for reducing bias and discrimination in maternity care.
- The Comptroller General will submit reports outlining the establishment and effectiveness of respectful maternity care compliance programs in various healthcare settings.
Respectful Maternity Care Compliance Programs
The bill establishes a compliance program that recognized hospitals and health systems can implement to ensure respect and care in the maternity setting. Key features of these compliance programs include:
- Mechanisms for patients and families to report instances of bias or discrimination.
- Strategies to publicly report on the extent of bias in maternity care delivery.
- Regular assessments to determine how biases impact patient outcomes.
Reporting and Recommendations
Annual reporting requirements for grant recipients will help track the impacts of training and programs funded under the act. The Secretary will also have the framework for producing reports that could guide future efforts in maternal care improvement.
Funding and Appropriations
To implement these initiatives, the bill includes provisions for yearly appropriations, including $5 million for training programs and other compliance initiatives.
Relevant Companies
- HCA Healthcare (HCA) - As a large operator of hospitals, HCA may need to adapt to comply with new training and compliance standards set forth in the bill.
- UnitedHealth Group (UNH) - As a major healthcare provider, they may be involved in implementing or funding initiatives aimed at improving maternal health.
- Cerner Corporation (CMI) - With their focus on healthcare technology solutions, they might be impacted by new requirements for data collection and reporting on maternal health outcomes.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
3 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Mar. 25, 2026 | Introduced in Senate |
| Mar. 25, 2026 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. |
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