The Perinatal Workforce Act aims to address shortages in maternal health care by growing and diversifying the workforce of doctors, midwives, nurses, and support staff who care for pregnant and postpartum individuals. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states on recruiting maternity care providers from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, conducting a study on best practices in culturally sensitive maternal care, and awarding grants totaling $15 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to schools that train midwives, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other perinatal health workers—with priority given to programs serving underserved communities and training students from minority groups. The legislation also requires the Government Accountability Office to report within two years and every five years thereafter on barriers to maternal health education and disparities in access to maternal care, with recommendations for improving equity in this field.
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