Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
Introduced
Summary
Rural obstetric emergency readiness: This bill would create a federally supported program to train and support clinicians in rural facilities without obstetric units so they can manage pregnancy and childbirth emergencies and arrange safe transfers. It centers on evidence-based training, a needs assessment, interprofessional consultation, and regional technical assistance.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants to prepare rural hospitals for births
If enacted, the government would award grants to rural hospitals and consortia to bolster obstetric emergency readiness. Funds could pay for equipment, staff time, and training to prepare, stabilize, and safely transfer patients. Uses could include buying supplies, setting transfer protocols and networks, and running cross-training or simulation drills. Recipients would coordinate with local maternal and child health programs. $15 million is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
Maternal telehealth help for rural clinics
If enacted, HHS would fund a pilot so States and Tribes can build maternal telehealth teams for urgent care in rural sites without obstetric units. Programs would ensure consulting doctors are credentialed, meet State rules, and can advise on labor, hemorrhage, hypertension, heart issues, mental health, substance use, and sepsis. They would offer rapid phone or video consults and help with referrals. Programs must report results within 18 months. $5 million is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
Training rural clinics for pregnancy emergencies
If enacted, HHS would fund evidence-based training for practitioners in rural facilities without obstetric units. Training would cover labor, hemorrhage, severe hypertension, heart issues, mental health, substance use, sepsis, and more. Grantees would assess needs, consult national experts in four specialties, and deliver training through regional partners and technical help. $5 million is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2028.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]
PA • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Bishop
GA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
SC • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Obernolte
CA • R
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Trahan
MA • D
Sponsored 3/24/2025
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]
OH • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
AL • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]
OR • D
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Wied
WI • R
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]
IN • R
Sponsored 4/14/2025
Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Sponsored 4/21/2025
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1]
WV • R
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
MI • R
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Bresnahan
PA • R
Sponsored 12/19/2025
Thompson (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 1/8/2026
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
ME • D
Sponsored 1/12/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Mrvan
IN • D
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Bentz
OR • R
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov