Rural Maternal and Infant Health Equity Act
The Rural Maternal and Infant Health Equity Act improves birth outcomes by expanding access to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care in rural communities. The Act supports midwifery and doula services, rural obstetric workforce development, and community-based maternal health programs. Equity-focused data reporting ensures accountability and continuous improvement.
Key Provisions
Rural Midwifery and Doula Access Program: Expands licensure, reimbursement, and integration of midwives and doulas into rural maternity care systems.
Obstetric Workforce Training and Incentive Fund: Supports rural OB/GYN rotations, residencies, and provider loan forgiveness tied to rural service.
Community-Based Perinatal Health Initiative: Funds local maternal health partnerships, including home visiting nurses, mobile clinics, and culturally competent prenatal education.
Rural Birth Center and Facility Expansion Grants: Provides capital and startup funding to establish or upgrade rural birth centers and integrated maternal health units.
Maternal Health Data and Equity Monitoring: Requires reporting on rural maternal and infant outcomes, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and geography.
Model Language
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Rural Maternal and Infant Health Equity Act."
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to reduce maternal and infant health disparities in rural areas by strengthening the workforce, expanding care models, and investing in culturally appropriate maternity services.
Section 3. Definitions.
(a) "Midwife" includes certified nurse-midwives, certified professional midwives, or other licensed midwifery providers recognized by state law.
(b) "Doula" means a trained, non-clinical birth support professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational assistance.
(c) "Rural area" means a geographic region designated as rural or underserved by the U.S. Census Bureau or state health authority.
(d) "Department" means the state agency responsible for maternal and child health.
Section 4. Rural Midwifery and Doula Access Program.
(a) The Department shall support rural access to midwifery and doula services by: (1) Licensing and regulating community-based maternity care providers; (2) Reimbursing midwife and doula services through Medicaid and other payers; (3) Offering grants to integrate these providers into hospitals and clinics.
(b) Cultural competency and evidence-based training shall be required.
Section 5. Obstetric Workforce Training and Incenstive Fund.
(a) The Department shall establish a fund to support: (1) OB/GYN residencies or rural clinical rotations; (2) Recruitment incentives for obstetric providers locating in rural areas; (3) Loan repayment for at least two years of rural maternity care service.
(b) Priority shall be given to providers trained in team-based and culturally responsive care.
Section 6. Community-Based Perinatal Health Initiative.
(a) The Department shall fund locally led maternal health partnerships to deliver: (1) Prenatal home visits by nurses or midwives; (2) Mobile perinatal clinics; (3) Group prenatal care and peer-led education for at-risk populations.
(b) Grantees must demonstrate engagement of target communities in program design.
Section 7. Rural Birth Center and Facility Expansion Grants.
(a) The Department shall offer capital grants to: (1) Establish new rural birth centers; (2) Expand or modernize obstetric units in rural hospitals; (3) Support facilities offering continuous labor support and postpartum care.
(b) Projects must meet safety and licensure standards.
Section 8. Maternal Health Data and Equity Monitoring.
(a) The Department shall collect and publish annual reports on: (1) Rural maternal mortality and morbidity rates;
(2) Preterm births and infant mortality; (3) Outcome disparities by race, ethnicity, and geography.
(b) Reports shall guide resource allocation and policy updates.
Section 9. Severability. If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 10. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect on January 1 of the year following its enactment.