[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2239 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2239
To prevent maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among Black
pregnant and postpartum individuals and other underserved populations,
to provide training in respectful maternity care, to reduce and prevent
bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care settings, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 11, 2023
Mr. Warnock (for himself, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Booker, Ms. Smith, and Mr.
Menendez) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prevent maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among Black
pregnant and postpartum individuals and other underserved populations,
to provide training in respectful maternity care, to reduce and prevent
bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care settings, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Kira Johnson Act''.
SEC. 2. SUSTAINED FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVANCE
MATERNAL HEALTH EQUITY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall award grants to
eligible entities to establish or expand programs to advance maternal
health equity.
(b) Timing.--Following the 1-year period described in subsection
(d), the Secretary shall commence awarding the grants authorized by
subsection (a).
(c) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to seek a grant under this
section, an entity shall be a community-based organization offering
programs and resources aligned with evidence-based practices for
improving maternal health outcomes for demographic groups with elevated
rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health
disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes.
(d) Outreach and Technical Assistance Period.--During the 1-year
period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall--
(1) conduct outreach to encourage eligible entities to
apply for grants under this section; and
(2) provide technical assistance to eligible entities on
best practices for applying for grants under this section.
(e) Special Consideration.--
(1) Outreach.--In conducting outreach under subsection (d),
the Secretary shall give special consideration to eligible
entities that--
(A) are based in, and provide support for,
communities with elevated rates of maternal mortality,
severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities,
or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes, to
the extent such data are available;
(B) are led by individuals from demographic groups
with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe
maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or
other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes; and
(C) offer programs and resources that are aligned
with evidence-based practices for improving maternal
health outcomes for individuals from demographic groups
with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe
maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or
other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes.
(2) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give special consideration to eligible entities
that--
(A) are described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and
(C) of paragraph (1);
(B) offer programs and resources designed in
consultation with and intended for individuals from
demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal
mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health
disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth
outcomes;
(C) offer programs and resources in the communities
in which the respective eligible entities are located
that--
(i) promote maternal mental health and
maternal substance use disorder treatments and
supports that are aligned with evidence-based
practices for improving maternal mental and
behavioral health outcomes for individuals from
demographic groups with elevated rates of
maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity,
maternal health disparities, or other adverse
perinatal or childbirth outcomes;
(ii) address social determinants of
maternal health;
(iii) promote evidence-based health
literacy and pregnancy, childbirth, and
parenting education;
(iv) provide support from perinatal health
workers;
(v) provide culturally and linguistically
congruent training to perinatal health workers;
(vi) conduct or support research on
maternal health issues disproportionately
impacting individuals from demographic groups
with elevated rates of maternal mortality,
severe maternal morbidity, maternal health
disparities, or other adverse perinatal or
childbirth outcomes;
(vii) offer group prenatal care or group
postpartum care;
(viii) coordinate mutual aid efforts during
infant formula shortages, including community
milk depots, donor human milk banks and
exchanges, and forums for community outreach
and education;
(ix) provide support to individuals or
family members of individuals who suffered a
pregnancy loss, pregnancy-associated death, or
pregnancy-related death; or
(x) operate midwifery practices that
provide culturally and linguistically congruent
maternal health care and support, including for
the purposes of--
(I) supporting additional
education, training, and certification
programs, including support for
distance learning;
(II) providing financial support to
current and future midwives to address
education costs, debts, and other
needs;
(III) clinical site investments;
(IV) supporting preceptor
development trainings;
(V) expanding the midwifery
practice; or
(VI) related needs identified by
the midwifery practice and described in
the practice's application; and
(D) have developed other programs and resources
that address community-specific needs for pregnant and
postpartum individuals and are aligned with evidence-
based practices for improving maternal health outcomes
for individuals from demographic groups with elevated
rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity,
maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal
or childbirth outcomes.
(f) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide to grant
recipients under this section technical assistance on--
(1) capacity building to establish or expand programs to
advance maternal health equity;
(2) best practices in data collection, measurement,
evaluation, and reporting; and
(3) planning for sustaining programs to advance maternal
health equity after the period of the grant.
(g) Evaluation.--Not later than the end of fiscal year 2028, the
Secretary shall submit to the Congress an evaluation of the grant
program under this section that--
(1) assesses the effectiveness of outreach efforts during
the application process in diversifying the pool of grant
recipients;
(2) makes recommendations for future outreach efforts to
diversify the pool of grant recipients for Department of Health
and Human Services grant programs and funding opportunities
related to maternal health;
(3) assesses the effectiveness of programs funded by grants
under this section in improving maternal health outcomes for
individuals from demographic groups with elevated rates of
maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health
disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes,
to the extent practicable; and
(4) makes recommendations for future Department of Health
and Human Services grant programs and funding opportunities
that deliver funding to community-based organizations that
provide programs and resources that are aligned with evidence-
based practices for improving maternal health outcomes for
individuals from demographic groups with elevated rates of
maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health
disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there is authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2028.
SEC. 3. RESPECTFUL MATERNITY CARE TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN
MATERNITY CARE SETTINGS.
Part B of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 742. RESPECTFUL MATERNITY CARE TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN
MATERNITY CARE SETTINGS.
``(a) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants for programs to
reduce and prevent bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care
settings and to advance respectful, culturally and linguistically
congruent, trauma-informed care.
``(b) Special Consideration.--In awarding grants under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications for
programs that would--
``(1) apply to all maternity care providers and any
employees who interact with pregnant and postpartum individuals
in the provider setting, including front desk employees,
sonographers, schedulers, health care professionals, hospital
or health system administrators, security staff, and other
employees;
``(2) emphasize periodic, as opposed to one-time, trainings
for all birthing professionals and employees described in
paragraph (1);
``(3) address implicit bias, racism, and cultural humility;
``(4) be delivered in ongoing education settings for
providers maintaining their licenses, with a preference for
trainings that provide continuing education units;
``(5) include trauma-informed care best practices and an
emphasis on shared decision making between providers and
patients;
``(6) include antiracism training and programs;
``(7) be delivered in undergraduate programs that funnel
into health professions schools;
``(8) be delivered in settings that apply to providers of
the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants,
and children under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of
1966;
``(9) integrate bias training in obstetric emergency
simulation trainings or related trainings;
``(10) include training for emergency department employees
and emergency medical technicians on recognizing warning signs
for severe pregnancy-related complications;
``(11) offer training to all maternity care providers on
the value of racially, ethnically, and professionally diverse
maternity care teams to provide culturally and linguistically
congruent care; or
``(12) be based on one or more programs designed by a
historically Black college or university or other minority-
serving institution.
``(c) Application.--To seek a grant under subsection (a), an entity
shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require.
``(d) Reporting.--Each recipient of a grant under this section
shall annually submit to the Secretary a report on the status of
activities conducted using the grant, including, as applicable, a
description of the impact of training provided through the grant on
patient outcomes and patient experience for pregnant and postpartum
individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups and their families.
``(e) Best Practices.--Based on the annual reports submitted
pursuant to subsection (d), the Secretary--
``(1) shall produce an annual report on the findings
resulting from programs funded through this section;
``(2) shall disseminate such report to all recipients of
grants under this section and to the public; and
``(3) may include in such report findings on best practices
for improving patient outcomes and patient experience for
pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic
minority groups and their families in maternity care settings.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `postpartum' means the 1-year period
beginning on the last day of an individual's pregnancy.
``(2) The term `culturally and linguistically congruent'
means in agreement with the preferred cultural values, beliefs,
worldview, language, and practices of the health care consumer
and other stakeholders.
``(3) The term `racial and ethnic minority group' has the
meaning given such term in section 1707(g)(1).
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2028.''.
SEC. 4. STUDY ON REDUCING AND PREVENTING BIAS, RACISM, AND
DISCRIMINATION IN MATERNITY CARE SETTINGS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall seek to enter into an
agreement, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
(referred to in this section as the ``National Academies'') under which
the National Academies agree to--
(1) conduct a study on the design and implementation of
programs to reduce and prevent bias, racism, and discrimination
in maternity care settings and to advance respectful,
culturally and linguistically congruent, trauma-informed care;
and
(2) not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of
this Act--
(A) complete the study; and
(B) transmit a report on the results of the study
to the Congress.
(b) Possible Topics.--The agreement entered into pursuant to
subsection (a) may provide for the study of any of the following:
(1) The development of a scorecard or other evaluation
standards for programs designed to reduce and prevent bias,
racism, and discrimination in maternity care settings to assess
the effectiveness of such programs in improving patient
outcomes and patient experience for pregnant and postpartum
individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups and their
families.
(2) Determination of the types and frequency of training to
reduce and prevent bias, racism, and discrimination in
maternity care settings that are demonstrated to improve
patient outcomes or patient experience for pregnant and
postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups
and their families.
SEC. 5. RESPECTFUL MATERNITY CARE COMPLIANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to accredited
hospitals, health systems, and other maternity care settings to
establish as an integral part of quality implementation initiatives
within one or more hospitals or other birth settings a respectful
maternity care compliance program.
(b) Program Requirements.--A respectful maternity care compliance
program funded through a grant under this section shall--
(1) institutionalize mechanisms to allow patients receiving
maternity care services, the families of such patients, or
perinatal health workers supporting such patients to report
instances of racism or evidence of bias on the basis of race,
ethnicity, or another protected class;
(2) institutionalize response mechanisms through which
representatives of the program can directly follow up with the
patient, if possible, and the patient's family in a timely
manner;
(3) prepare and make publicly available a hospital- or
health system-wide strategy to reduce bias on the basis of
race, ethnicity, or another protected class in the delivery of
maternity care that includes--
(A) information on the training programs to reduce
and prevent bias, racism, and discrimination on the
basis of race, ethnicity, or another protected class
for all employees in maternity care settings;
(B) information on the number of cases reported to
the compliance program; and
(C) the development of methods to routinely assess
the extent to which bias, racism, or discrimination on
the basis of race, ethnicity, or another protected
class is present in the delivery of maternity care to
patients from racial and ethnic minority groups;
(4) develop mechanisms to routinely collect and publicly
report hospital-level data related to patient-reported
experience of care; and
(5) provide annual reports to the Secretary with
information about each case reported to the compliance program
over the course of the year containing such information as the
Secretary may require, such as--
(A) deidentified demographic information on the
patient in the case, such as race, ethnicity, gender
identity, and primary language;
(B) the content of the report from the patient or
the family of the patient to the compliance program;
(C) the response from the compliance program; and
(D) to the extent applicable, institutional changes
made as a result of the case.
(c) Secretary Requirements.--
(1) Processes.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish processes
for--
(A) disseminating best practices for establishing
and implementing a respectful maternity care compliance
program within a hospital or other birth setting;
(B) promoting coordination and collaboration
between hospitals, health systems, and other maternity
care delivery settings on the establishment and
implementation of respectful maternity care compliance
programs; and
(C) evaluating the effectiveness of respectful
maternity care compliance programs on maternal health
outcomes and patient and family experiences, especially
for patients from racial and ethnic minority groups and
their families.
(2) Study.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall,
through a contract with an independent research
organization, conduct a study on strategies to
address--
(i) racism or bias on the basis of race,
ethnicity, or another protected class in the
delivery of maternity care services; and
(ii) successful implementation of
respectful care initiatives.
(B) Components of study.--The study shall include
the following:
(i) An assessment of the reports submitted
to the Secretary from the respectful maternity
care compliance programs pursuant to subsection
(b)(5).
(ii) Based on such assessment,
recommendations for potential accountability
mechanisms related to cases of racism or bias
on the basis of race, ethnicity, or another
protected class in the delivery of maternity
care services at hospitals and other birth
settings. Such recommendations shall take into
consideration medical and nonmedical factors
that contribute to adverse patient experiences
and maternal health outcomes.
(C) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the
Congress and make publicly available a report on the
results of the study under this paragraph.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal years 2024 through 2029.
SEC. 6. GAO REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this Act and annually thereafter, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Congress and make publicly available
a report on the establishment of respectful maternity care compliance
programs within hospitals, health systems, and other maternity care
settings.
(b) Matters Included.--The report under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) Information regarding the extent to which hospitals,
health systems, and other maternity care settings have elected
to establish respectful maternity care compliance programs,
including--
(A) which hospitals and other birth settings elect
to establish compliance programs and when such programs
are established;
(B) to the extent practicable, impacts of the
establishment of such programs on maternal health
outcomes and patient and family experiences in the
hospitals and other birth settings that have
established such programs, especially for patients from
racial and ethnic minority groups and their families;
(C) information on geographic areas, and types of
hospitals or other birth settings, where respectful
maternity care compliance programs are not being
established and information on factors contributing to
decisions to not establish such programs; and
(D) recommendations for establishing respectful
maternity care compliance programs in geographic areas,
and types of hospitals or other birth settings, where
such programs are not being established.
(2) Whether the funding made available to carry out this
section has been sufficient and, if applicable, recommendations
for additional appropriations to carry out this section.
(3) Such other information as the Comptroller General
determines appropriate.
<all>