The Perinatal Workforce Act aims to address maternal health disparities by growing and diversifying the healthcare providers who care for pregnant and postpartum individuals. The bill authorizes $15 million annually from 2027 through 2031 for two competitive grant programs: one supporting schools and programs that train physician assistants, midwives, and perinatal health workers, and another supporting nursing schools that train maternal and perinatal health nurses. Both grant programs prioritize schools recruiting and training providers from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and those planning to work in underserved areas, and require curriculum on implicit bias and racism. The legislation also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states on diverse maternity care teams, conduct a study on respectful and culturally appropriate maternal care, and requires the Government Accountability Office to report biennially on barriers to maternal health education and care access. The bill emphasizes expanding multidisciplinary care teams that include midwives, lactation consultants, mental health providers, and community health workers alongside traditional medical providers.
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