Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8829
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-22T13:12:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act (H.R. 8829)
Purpose
This bill aims to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities by creating new federal grant programs, education initiatives, technical assistance, and research focused on training providers, expanding the workforce, and addressing barriers.
Key Provisions
- Workforce Training (Section 3): Authorizes grants to public or private nonprofit entities for training health care professionals on disability-inclusive reproductive health care, including topics like legal rights, accessibility standards, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based practices. Requires applications detailing expertise, plans, and evaluation.
- Provider Workforce Expansion (Section 4): Creates grants to health and educational entities to recruit, train, and retain individuals with disabilities in sexual and reproductive health professions, such as through pipelines, mentorship, faculty support, and stipends that do not affect benefits eligibility.
- Nursing Workforce Expansion (Section 5): Amends existing nursing education law to include similar grants for individuals with disabilities entering reproductive health nursing roles, covering recruitment, training, research, and community-based experiences.
- Public Education Programs (Section 6): Funds grants for evidence-based education on reproductive health, abortion options, legal rights, and resources targeted at individuals with disabilities (including youth), using accessible formats.
- National Technical Assistance Center (Section 7): Establishes a center under the Administration for Community Living to offer best practices, resources, and assistance to states, tribes, and providers on coordinated accessible care, legal compliance, and equipment standards.
- Research Study (Section 8): Directs a study on effective programs, partnerships, and data needs for disability-inclusive reproductive health care, with a report due within three years.
- Authorizations: Provides funding from fiscal years 2027–2031 (amounts range from $10 million to $15 million annually per program), supplementing rather than replacing existing funds.
- Eligibility and Preferences: Prioritizes entities led by or serving individuals with disabilities, tribes, and those with expertise in reproductive health; includes definitions aligned with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the Public Health Service Act (titles VII and VIII) to add new sections creating targeted grant programs for disability-focused reproductive health training and workforce development.
- Expands existing nursing workforce authorities (section 821) to include disability-specific activities.
- Introduces a new National Technical Assistance Center and a dedicated research mandate, without altering core definitions or rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, or Affordable Care Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services (particularly the Health Resources and Services Administration and Administration for Community Living) in administering grants, compiling reports, and coordinating services; may require enhanced enforcement of accessibility standards.
- Citizens: Aims to reduce barriers for individuals with disabilities in accessing reproductive health services, potentially improving health outcomes, autonomy, and workforce diversity in health care.
- International Relations: No direct impacts identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with disabilities (including parents, youth, and those seeking reproductive care).
- Health care providers, clinics (e.g., federally qualified health centers, Title X sites), and educational institutions (medical, nursing, and higher education programs).
- Federal agencies (HHS components) and state, tribal, and local entities involved in health and disability services.
- Organizations led by or focused on individuals with disabilities and reproductive health advocates.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Reinforces existing federal disability rights laws by promoting compliance through education and resources, without creating new mandates or altering constitutional protections.
- Emphasizes nondiscrimination and autonomy in reproductive health, aligning with broader equity goals but focused solely on implementation via funding and training.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-05-14: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act — issued 2026-05-14 — PDF (29 pages)