What does Preamble of Kira Johnson Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To end preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the United States and close disparities in maternal health outcomes, and for other purposes.' The bill aims to address preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity within the United States. A stated goal of the bill is to reduce disparities in maternal health outcomes.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Kira Johnson Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Kira Johnson Act.

What does SUSTAINED FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVANCE of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section establishes a grant program to fund community-based organizations working to advance maternal health equity. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award grants to eligible entities to establish or expand programs focused on improving maternal health outcomes. During the first year after enactment, the Secretary must conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to potential applicants. Special consideration will be given to organizations based in communities with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes, those led by individuals from affected demographic groups, and those offering evidence-based programs. Grant recipients will receive technical assistance on capacity building, data collection, and program sustainability. The Secretary must evaluate the grant program's effectiveness, including outreach efforts and program impact, and submit recommendations to Congress by the end of fiscal year 2031. The bill authorizes $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this section.

What does RESPECTFUL MATERNITY CARE TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program focused on reducing bias and discrimination in maternity care settings. The Secretary is authorized to award grants for programs that promote respectful, culturally and linguistically congruent, and trauma-informed care. Grant applications should prioritize programs that apply to all maternity care providers and related employees, including front desk staff and administrators. Special consideration will be given to programs emphasizing periodic training, addressing implicit bias and antiracism, and incorporating trauma-informed care. The grants can be delivered in various settings, including ongoing education, undergraduate programs, and programs designed by minority-serving institutions. Recipients are required to submit annual reports detailing the impact of training on patient outcomes and experiences for racial and ethnic minority groups. The Secretary will compile an annual report on findings from funded programs and disseminate it to recipients and the public. The bill authorizes $5,000,000 in appropriations for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031 to carry out this section.

What does STUDY ON REDUCING AND PREVENTING BIAS, RACISM, AND of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The National Academies will conduct a study on programs designed to reduce and prevent bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care settings. The study aims to advance respectful, culturally and linguistically congruent, trauma-informed care. The National Academies must complete the study and transmit a report to Congress within 24 months of the Act's enactment. The study may consider developing evaluation standards for programs addressing bias, racism, and discrimination. The study may also examine the types and frequency of training that can improve patient outcomes and experience for minority groups.

What does RESPECTFUL MATERNITY CARE COMPLIANCE PROGRAM. of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section establishes the Respectful Maternity Care Compliance Program. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award grants to accredited hospitals and health systems to implement this program. The program requires institutions to establish mechanisms for reporting instances of racism or bias and to respond to patient concerns. Hospitals must develop and publicly share strategies to reduce bias in maternity care, including training programs for employees. Data collection and public reporting of patient experiences are mandated. Annual reports detailing reported cases and institutional changes must be submitted to the Secretary. The Secretary is required to disseminate best practices, promote coordination, and evaluate program effectiveness. A study, conducted by an independent research organization, will assess strategies to address racism and bias in maternity care and recommend accountability mechanisms. The study will analyze reports submitted to the Secretary and consider medical and nonmedical factors contributing to adverse patient experiences.

What does GAO REPORT. of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section mandates the Comptroller General of the United States to submit an annual report to Congress and make it publicly available. The report must detail the extent to which hospitals and other maternity care settings have established respectful maternity care compliance programs. The report should include information on the impact of these programs on maternal health outcomes and patient experiences, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups. The report must also identify geographic areas and types of facilities where such programs are lacking and the reasons for their absence. The report will include recommendations for establishing these programs in areas where they are not currently present. The report will assess the adequacy of funding for this section and suggest additional appropriations if needed. The Comptroller General can include other relevant information in the report as deemed appropriate.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Culturally and linguistically congruent” care aligns with the values, beliefs, language, and practices of the health care consumer. “Maternal mortality” includes deaths during or within one year after pregnancy due to pregnancy-related complications, including suicide or overdose. “Perinatal health worker” refers to nonclinical workers supporting maternal or perinatal health, such as doulas or community health workers. “Postpartum” is defined as the one-year period following the last day of pregnancy. “Pregnancy-associated death” is any death of a pregnant or postpartum individual within one year of pregnancy, regardless of pregnancy outcome. “Pregnancy-related death” results from pregnancy complications or their aggravation. “Racial and ethnic minority group” has the meaning defined in section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act. “Severe maternal morbidity” includes health conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders, attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth.

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Kira Johnson Act

Last updated: 3/25/2026 · Introduced: 3/25/2026

Author: Alma Adams (D-NC)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill establishes a grant program to fund community-based organizations focused on improving maternal health equity, prioritizing those serving high-risk communities and led by individuals from affected demographic groups.
It creates a grant program to reduce bias and discrimination in maternity care settings by promoting respectful, culturally and linguistically congruent, and trauma-informed care for all employees.
The bill directs the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on programs designed to reduce bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care, with a focus on improving patient outcomes.
Hospitals and health systems are required to implement a Respectful Maternity Care Compliance Program, including reporting mechanisms for bias, public sharing of strategies, and data collection on patient experiences.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will annually report to Congress on the extent to which hospitals have established respectful maternity care compliance programs and make recommendations for improvement.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 7973(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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