Perinatal Workforce Act

• Aims to improve patient experience and reduce racial and ethnic disparities by directing HHS to issue state guidance on respectful, culturally and linguistically congruent maternity care and by requiring the NIH Director to report within two years on best practices for respectful care and disparity reduction.
• Creates a Title VII grant program to start or expand accredited training for midwives who meet international standards, perinatal health workers, and physician assistants, with scholarships and priority for recruiting racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse students; grants may last up to 5 years and set aside $15.0 million per year for 2027–2031.
• Adds perinatal nursing workforce grants for nursing schools to fund scholarships for maternal/perinatal nurse practitioners and certified nurse‑midwives, prioritizes clinical placements in Health Professional Shortage Areas and areas with disparities, requires bias and racism training, and directs the Government Accountability Office to report on education barriers and disparities every 5 years.

*Authorizes $15.0 million per year for each of the two new grant programs for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, totaling $30.0 million per year in potential appropriations if funded.*