A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Kira Johnson Act aims to prevent maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, particularly among Black and underserved populations. It establishes sustained funding for community-based organizations to advance maternal health equity through various programs and resources. The bill provides grants for training all employees in maternity care settings to reduce bias, racism, and discrimination. Additionally, it creates a framework for hospitals and health systems to implement respectful maternity care compliance programs. The legislation also mandates studies to evaluate the effectiveness of these training and compliance efforts. Finally, it includes oversight through reports from the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the GAO.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +9
Would women be better off under this?
The bill is specifically designed to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce mortality for pregnant and postpartum individuals.
- Scored +8
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill targets the reduction of maternal mortality and racial bias that disproportionately impacts Black populations.
- Scored +8
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill explicitly aims to reduce racism, bias, and discrimination in maternity care through training, compliance programs, and community grants.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Community Organizations: The bill awards grants to community-based organizations to establish or expand programs that improve maternal health outcomes for specific demographic groups (Section 2).
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Enhanced Maternal Health Resources: Funding may support diverse resources such as maternal mental health and substance use disorder treatments, pregnancy and parenting education, and support for those experiencing pregnancy loss (Section 2).
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Midwifery Support: The bill allows for grants to support midwifery practices, including providing financial support for education, debts, and training (Section 2).
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Improved Care Standards: Grants are available to promote respectful, culturally and linguistically congruent, and trauma-informed care in maternity settings (Section 3).
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Comprehensive Employee Training: Training can be applied to all employees in maternity care settings, including front desk staff and security, to reduce bias and racism (Section 3).
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Patient Accountability: The compliance programs allow patients and their families to report instances of racism or bias and receive follow-up from program representatives (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly detailed within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would women be better off under this? — The bill is specifically designed to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce mortality for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill targets the reduction of maternal mortality and racial bias that disproportionately impacts Black populations. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill promotes culturally and linguistically congruent care for racial and ethnic minority groups. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill supports community-based organizations that often serve underserved and low-income populations. Would children be better off under this? — Improving maternal health outcomes has a direct positive impact on infant health and development.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill funds community-based organizations and midwifery practices to improve maternal health outcomes and access to culturally congruent care. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill mandates studies on bias in maternity care and directs the Secretary to support research on maternal health issues.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill explicitly aims to reduce racism, bias, and discrimination in maternity care through training, compliance programs, and community grants.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides financial support for midwives to address education costs and debts.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides grants for midwifery practices, which may support the expansion of the midwifery profession.
- 3/25/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California