Traumatic Births Research Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Introduced
Summary
Creates federal research into how traumatic birth experiences and maternal PTSD affect families and funds a pilot comparing midwife-driven care with standard medical models to study outcomes and care differences.
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- Families and mothers: Funds research on short- and long-term maternal mental health, the effects on infants and families, and links between severe maternal morbidity and traumatic birth. Findings must be disaggregated by race and ethnicity.
- States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations: Explicitly makes these entities eligible for awards under the Public Health Service Act and adds definitions consistent with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
- Midwives and care systems: Authorizes a pilot to compare midwife-driven care models with conventional medical care focused on traumatic birth experiences and maternal mental health, with grant funding allowed for FY2026–2030.
- Researchers and Congress: Requires an interim report by the end of FY2028 and a final report by the end of FY2030 summarizing the research and pilot findings.
*Authorizes $1.0 million per year for research in FY2027–2031 and additional unspecified pilot funding for FY2026–2030, increasing authorized federal spending.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Pilot study of midwife care
This bill would set up a pilot grant program to study midwife-driven care versus medical care. The research would focus on how each model affects traumatic birth experiences and maternal mental health. The Secretary of HHS would award the grants. Funding is authorized as "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
Research on traumatic births
This bill would create a federal research program on traumatic birth experiences and PTSD. The Secretary of HHS would do the research or give awards to States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations. Findings would be broken down by race and ethnicity. The bill would authorize $1,000,000 for each year from FY2027 through FY2031. An interim report would be due by the end of FY2028 and a final report by the end of FY2030 covering the research and the related pilot.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 5/15/2026
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2026
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2026
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/15/2026
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2026
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
IN • D
Sponsored 5/15/2026
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov