Bill > HR8089

This bill, titled the "Perinatal Workforce Act," aims to increase and diversify the number of professionals who provide care to pregnant individuals and new mothers. It mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide guidance to states on how to encourage healthcare providers and insurers to recruit and retain maternity care providers from diverse backgrounds, including those trained in implicit bias and racism, and to incorporate various professionals like midwives, perinatal health workers, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, and lactation consultants into care teams. HHS will also conduct a study on best practices for culturally and linguistically congruent maternity care, meaning care that aligns with a patient's cultural values, beliefs, and language. Furthermore, the bill proposes grants to establish or expand programs that train physician assistants, perinatal health workers, and midwives, with a focus on recruiting and retaining individuals from minority groups and those who plan to work in underserved areas or areas with significant maternal health disparities. Similar grants will be available to nursing schools to support scholarships for students pursuing careers in perinatal nursing, prioritizing those from diverse backgrounds and those aiming to practice in underserved areas. Finally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will report on barriers to maternal health education and access to care, offering recommendations to improve equity in the workforce and compensation for perinatal health workers.