What does Preamble of Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To improve obstetric emergency care'.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act.

What does OBSTETRIC EMERGENCY TRAINING PROGRAM. of Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act do?

This section amends Section 330O of the Public Health Service Act to establish an obstetric emergency training program. The program aims to train practitioners in rural health care facilities without dedicated obstetric units to provide emergency obstetric services. Training will cover preparation, identification, stabilization, and safe transfer of women experiencing various obstetric emergencies, including hemorrhage, severe hypertension, and mental health conditions. The training program requires an assessment of obstetric training needs and consultation with representatives from national medical societies in gynecology, obstetrics, emergency medicine, family medicine, and anesthesiology. The program will facilitate access to obstetric readiness training through regional partnerships and technical assistance. The section authorizes $5,000,000 to be appropriated for grants supporting the program from fiscal years 2026 through 2028.

What does GRANT FUNDING FOR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. of Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act do?

This section amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a Program of Support for Obstetric Services. The Secretary is authorized to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to integrate obstetric readiness training, build workforce capacity, and purchase equipment for obstetric emergencies. Funds may be used for purchasing equipment, technical assistance, developing transfer protocols, hiring personnel, and establishing training opportunities for non-obstetric health professionals. Eligible entities include rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals located in designated areas, or consortia of such entities. Recipients must coordinate with other maternal and child health programs where practicable. A 'maternity care health professional target area' is defined as a primary care shortage area with a shortage of maternity health professionals. The term 'rural area' is defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. The section authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to carry out the program.

What does PILOT PROGRAM FOR TELECONSULTATION. of Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act do?

This section establishes a Pilot Program for Teleconsultation within the Public Health Service Act. The Secretary, through the Health Resources and Services Administration and in consultation with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, will award grants to States, political subdivisions, and Indian Tribes. These grants will support the provision of urgent maternal health care in rural facilities lacking dedicated obstetric units. The program aims to develop or improve statewide or regional maternal health care telehealth access programs. These programs must establish networks of maternal health care teams to provide urgent consultative support. Participating programs must assess urgent maternal health consultation needs and ensure consulting physicians are properly credentialed. The programs will provide rapid clinical consultations and information about available maternal health services and referrals. Entities receiving awards must submit a report to the Secretary within 18 months of receiving the grant. The section authorizes $5,000,000 for the program from fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

What does STUDY ON OBSTETRIC UNITS IN RURAL AREAS. of Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act do?

This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study. The study must map maternity ward closures and regional patient transport patterns. The study should also examine models for regional partnerships for rural obstetric care. A report on the study's results must be submitted to specified Senate and House committees. The report is due within three years of the Act's enactment.

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Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act

Last updated: 3/19/2026 · Introduced: 2/4/2025

Author: Maggie Hassan (D-NH)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes an obstetric emergency training program to equip practitioners in rural areas with skills to manage obstetric emergencies and safely transfer patients.
The bill creates a grant program to support rural hospitals and consortia in acquiring equipment, building workforce capacity, and developing emergency obstetric protocols.
It authorizes a pilot program to expand access to urgent maternal health care through telehealth consultations in rural facilities lacking dedicated obstetric units.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 1254(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 4 more.

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