NIH IMPROVE Act

Bill Number: H.R. 6238
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-07-09: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 638.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T10:23:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation establishes the IMPROVE Initiative within the National Institutes of Health to advance research aimed at improving maternal health outcomes, reducing preventable maternal deaths and severe complications, and addressing related health differences across populations.

Key Provisions

The Director of NIH must continue operating the Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone Initiative.
The Initiative focuses on three main objectives: advancing research to lower preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity; reducing health differences tied to these issues; and improving health for women before, during, and after pregnancy.
It requires an integrated approach that examines biological, behavioral, and other factors influencing outcomes, with emphasis on building evidence in specific U.S. regions.
The Initiative targets health differences by supporting community-based interventions for affected groups and identifying risk factors and biological mechanisms for leading causes of maternal complications.
The NIH Director may use grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other agreements to implement the program.
The bill authorizes $63,400,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds a new Section 409K to Part B of Title IV of the Public Health Service Act, creating a statutory framework for the IMPROVE Initiative and providing dedicated multi-year funding authorization.

Potential Impacts

On government agencies: Directs NIH to expand research efforts on maternal health, potentially affecting resource allocation within the agency.
On citizens: Aims to generate evidence for interventions that could benefit pregnant and postpartum women, particularly in groups with higher rates of complications.
No direct effects on international relations are outlined.

Main Stakeholders Affected

The National Institutes of Health and its research programs.
Pregnant and postpartum women, especially those in populations experiencing higher rates of maternal complications.
Community organizations and researchers conducting maternal health studies.
Federal health agencies involved in public health data and interventions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation creates no new regulatory requirements or restrictions on individuals or states. It operates within existing NIH authority under the Public Health Service Act and does not alter constitutional balances of power or introduce new enforcement mechanisms.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

2026-07-09: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 638.
2026-07-09: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-734.
2026-07-09: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-734.
2026-05-21: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
2026-05-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2025-11-20: Introduced in House
2025-11-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

NIH Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (3 pages)
NIH Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone Act — issued 2026-07-09 — PDF (6 pages)