Perinatal Workforce Act

Increased Diversity in Healthcare: The bill seeks to recruit and retain healthcare providers from racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse backgrounds to provide more representative care (Section 2(a)(2)(A)).

Expanded Access to Specialized Care: By providing grants to establish or expand schools, the bill aims to increase the number of physician assistants, perinatal health workers, and midwives (Section 3(b)(1)).

Improved Care Standards: The guidance aims to encourage the delivery of respectful, collaborative, and culturally and linguistically congruent care (Section 2(a)(2)(C)).

Financial Support for Students: Grant recipients are encouraged to use funds for scholarships to increase student enrollment in accredited programs (Section 3(b)(2)).

Targeted Support for Underserved Areas: The bill prioritizes the recruitment of students who plan to practice in health professional shortage areas or areas with significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes (Section 3(c)(3)-(4)).

Enhanced Nursing Workforce: Through specific nursing grants, the bill provides scholarships for students seeking to become nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, or clinical nurse specialists (Section 4(b)).