Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act
Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act
Plain Language Summary
# Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act Summary **What It Does:** The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act would create new federal grant programs to help rural hospitals and healthcare facilities improve emergency childbirth services. The bill directs the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to distribute grants for training healthcare workers, hiring obstetric staff, purchasing medical equipment for childbirth emergencies, and developing telehealth programs to connect rural patients with obstetric specialists. It targets areas where there's a shortage of obstetricians or maternity care facilities. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects rural communities and rural hospitals that lack adequate maternity care services, as well as healthcare workers in these areas. It could help improve pregnancy and childbirth outcomes for people living far from major medical centers.
The bill also supports healthcare providers by funding their training and infrastructure improvements. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 1254, 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was sponsored by Representative Robin L. Kelly (D-IL).
CRS Official Summary
Rural Obstetrics Readiness ActThis bill creates and expands federal grant programs within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase capacity to provide emergency obstetric health services in rural areas or areas without practitioners or facilities specializing in obstetric services. Specifically, HRSA must establish a program for providing grants to certain hospitals or consortiums that include hospitals in rural areas or areas with maternal health care professional shortages for training, developing a workforce, and purchasing equipment relating to obstetric emergencies. In addition, the bill requires HRSA’s Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Capacity program to provide grants for training on emergency obstetric services for practitioners in rural health care facilities without dedicated obstetric units. HRSA must also establish a pilot program to provide grants to government entities for developing or improving telehealth access programs to support urgent maternal health care in rural facilities without a dedicated obstetric unit.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.