hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Requires discharge plans for pregnant individuals and improves maternal care.
Ms. Kelly (D-IL) and other Democrats
In committee, no House vote yet
This bill, known as the WELLS Act, mandates that hospitals provide comprehensive discharge plans for pregnant individuals who are sent home before delivery. It also expands training for maternal care providers to include racial bias training and sets up new ways to track and improve maternal health outcomes. The bill was introduced by Representative Robin Kelly, a Democrat from Illinois, along with several co-sponsors. It is currently under review in House committees and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Introduced Mar 5, 2026
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 5, 2026. It has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Ways and Means for review. Before it can become law, it must pass both the House and the Senate, and then be signed by the President.
If this bill passes, pregnant individuals discharged from a hospital before giving birth would receive a plan detailing why they're being sent home, travel logistics, and a backup hospital. Hospitals treating pregnant individuals would need to incorporate racial bias training into their maternal care programs and meet specific performance goals for staff training. Additionally, the government would create a public dashboard with more comprehensive data on maternal health, including mortality rates, patient experiences, and the number of pregnant individuals discharged early.
Supporters Say
Supporters would argue this bill improves safety and equity for pregnant individuals, especially those at risk of early discharge or in rural areas.
Critics Say
Critics might raise concerns about the administrative burden on hospitals or the cost of new training and data initiatives.
Those in favor would emphasize that the required discharge plans could prevent complications by ensuring pregnant individuals understand their care and options. They would also highlight the importance of racial bias training and better data to address significant disparities in maternal health outcomes. Opponents might argue that the new mandates could strain hospital resources, especially for critical access and rural emergency hospitals, or that the federal government is overstepping by requiring specific training content.