House BillHR 6238Medical researchNational Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH IMPROVE Act
INTRO NOV 20· LAST ACTION MAY 21
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
4BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because the United States has a higher rate of maternal deaths and severe pregnancy complications compared to many other developed countries, and these issues disproportionately affect women of color. If this bill becomes law, it would ensure dedicated research and community efforts are funded to understand why women are dying or getting severely sick during or after pregnancy, and to find ways to prevent it.
Without this bill, these efforts might continue, but without the specific formal mandate, focused objectives, and authorized funding outlined here. This could slow progress in addressing a critical public health issue that impacts thousands of families each year and exacerbates health inequalities. It aims to put a national strategy and resources behind tackling the maternal health crisis.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes the "IMPROVE Initiative" within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve maternal health outcomes.
This provision creates a dedicated and formal program for maternal health, ensuring a sustained focus on this critical area.
PROVISION 02
Directs the initiative to advance research aimed at reducing preventable causes of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.
This focuses scientific efforts on understanding and preventing the most serious risks faced by pregnant and postpartum women.
PROVISION 03
Requires the initiative to reduce health disparities related to maternal health outcomes, especially for populations with disproportionately high rates.
This targets systemic inequalities in maternal care and outcomes, seeking to ensure equitable health for all women.
PROVISION 04
Mandates the use of an integrated approach to understand factors affecting maternal health and to implement community-based interventions.
This ensures a comprehensive strategy that considers multiple influences on health and supports direct action in affected communities.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes $73,400,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 to fund the IMPROVE Initiative.
This provides the necessary financial resources to carry out the research and community programs outlined in the bill.
This bill matters because the United States has a higher rate of maternal deaths and severe pregnancy complications compared to many other developed countries, and these issues disproportionately affect women of color. If this bill becomes law, it would ensure dedicated research and community efforts are funded to understand why women are dying or getting severely sick during or after pregnancy, and to find ways to prevent it.
Without this bill, these efforts might continue, but without the specific formal mandate, focused objectives, and authorized funding outlined here. This could slow progress in addressing a critical public health issue that impacts thousands of families each year and exacerbates health inequalities. It aims to put a national strategy and resources behind tackling the maternal health crisis.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes the "IMPROVE Initiative" within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve maternal health outcomes.
This provision creates a dedicated and formal program for maternal health, ensuring a sustained focus on this critical area.
high
Directs the initiative to advance research aimed at reducing preventable causes of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.
This focuses scientific efforts on understanding and preventing the most serious risks faced by pregnant and postpartum women.
high
Requires the initiative to reduce health disparities related to maternal health outcomes, especially for populations with disproportionately high rates.
This targets systemic inequalities in maternal care and outcomes, seeking to ensure equitable health for all women.
med
Mandates the use of an integrated approach to understand factors affecting maternal health and to implement community-based interventions.
This ensures a comprehensive strategy that considers multiple influences on health and supports direct action in affected communities.
high
Authorizes $73,400,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 to fund the IMPROVE Initiative.
This provides the necessary financial resources to carry out the research and community programs outlined in the bill.
The primary federal agency in the United States responsible for biomedical and public health research.
Maternal Mortality
The death of a woman during pregnancy, at delivery, or up to one year after childbirth, from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management.
Severe Maternal Morbidity
Unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in significant short- or long-term consequences to a woman's health, such as life-threatening complications or needing intensive medical care.
Health Disparities
Preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations compared to others.
Postpartum
Refers to the period following childbirth, typically lasting up to six weeks or longer, during which the mother's body recovers from pregnancy and birth.
Authorization of Appropriations
A legislative act that establishes a program or agency and specifies the maximum amount of money that Congress *may* provide for that program or agency in the future, but does not actually provide the funds.
ACTION TIMELINE
6 EVENTS
MAY 21
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
COMMITTEE
MAY 21
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
COMMITTEE
NOV 20, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
NOV 20, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
A method that considers and combines multiple different factors, such as biological, behavioral, social, and environmental elements, to understand and address a complex problem.
