PAEA Statement on House Passage of Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act

On September 21, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4995, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, by voice vote. PAEA applauds the House vote, having previously voiced support for the measure when the bill was advanced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in late 2019.

H.R. 4995 contains a number of PAEA-endorsed provisions including a five-year authorization of $5 million annually to support interprofessional obstetrics and gynecology clinical rotations in rural areas. In 2019, Representative Karen Bass (D-CA) reintroduced the Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act (H.R. 1686), which would similarly authorize new investments in rural clinical rotations, prioritizing experiences in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and behavioral health.

In addition to support for clinical training opportunities in rural areas, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act would also work to address racial disparities in maternal health care. Specifically, the bill would authorize an additional $5 million each year for five years for grants to health professions programs to integrate anti-discrimination training as a component of the curriculum delivered to students.

PAEA urges the Senate to consider and pass the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act this year.