Bill > S4195

This bill, known as the Kira Johnson Act, aims to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, particularly among Black individuals and other underserved populations, by providing sustained funding for community-based organizations to advance maternal health equity. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award grants to eligible community-based organizations that offer programs and resources aligned with evidence-based practices to improve maternal health outcomes for groups facing elevated risks. The bill also mandates respectful maternity care training for all employees in maternity care settings, including front desk staff and administrators, emphasizing ongoing education, implicit bias, racism, cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and shared decision-making between patients and providers. Furthermore, it calls for a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on strategies to combat bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care, and establishes a respectful maternity care compliance program within hospitals and health systems to allow patients and families to report instances of racism or bias, with mechanisms for follow-up and public reporting of strategies to reduce bias. Finally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will report annually on the establishment and impact of these compliance programs.