WELLS Act

Improved Discharge Planning for Pregnant Individuals: Under Section 2, hospitals must develop and implement discharge plans for pregnant individuals who are experiencing signs of labor but are expected to be discharged prior to delivery. This includes providing a clinical justification, assessing travel distance/time, verifying reliable transportation, and identifying a back-up hospital (Section 2, subsection (l)(1) and (2)).

Enhanced Communication: The bill requires that discharge plans be discussed with the individual or their representative, and that they confirm understanding of the plan in their primary language (Section 2, subsection (l)(1)(C) and (2)(F)).

Racial Bias Training: Grant recipients for rural maternal and obstetric care training must use funds to provide racial bias training as part of their programs (Section 3, subsection (a)(1)(B)).

Increased Transparency and Data Access: The Secretary is required to make public reports on grant recipients and outcomes (Section 3, subsection (a)(3)(B)), and to develop a public maternal health dashboard containing data on maternal mortality, severe morbidity, and discharge outcomes (Section 5).

New Requirements for Participating Hospitals: Starting January 1, 2027, hospitals, critical access hospitals, and rural emergency hospitals participating in Medicare must comply with new discharge plan requirements to remain eligible for participation (Section 2, subsection (l)(1)).

Mandatory Performance Milestones for Grant Recipients: Grant recipients must meet minimum performance milestones, including specific targets regarding the percentage of staff trained or receiving refresher training, to remain eligible for future funding (Section 3, subsection (d)(2)).