Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4540
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-22T13:05:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation amends the Public Health Service Act to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. It establishes new grant programs, training initiatives, education efforts, technical assistance, and research to address barriers such as inaccessible facilities, limited provider training, and workforce underrepresentation.
Key Provisions
- Workforce Training (Section 3): Authorizes grants for health care professionals and trainees on equitable, trauma-informed care for disabled individuals, including disability rights, accessibility standards, and culturally appropriate practices.
- Provider Workforce Expansion (Section 4): Creates grants to recruit, train, and retain individuals with disabilities in reproductive health careers, including mentorship, stipends, and pipeline programs, with an assurance that benefits are not affected.
- Nursing Workforce Expansion (Section 5): Similar grants focused on nursing education and training for individuals with disabilities in reproductive health.
- Education Programs (Section 6): Funds education for disabled individuals (including youth) on reproductive health needs, abortion options, legal rights, and accessible resources.
- National Technical Assistance Center (Section 7): Establishes a center to provide best practices, resources on accessible medical equipment, and coordination of services like transportation and mental health.
- Research Study (Section 8): Directs a study on effective programs, partnerships, and data needs, with a report due within three years.
All programs include reporting requirements and authorize appropriations totaling up to $75 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, supplementing existing funds.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds four new sections to the Public Health Service Act (Sections 760A, 742, and amendments to Section 821) and creates standalone programs under the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It introduces targeted funding and preferences for disability-led or disability-serving entities, emphasizing integration of disability rights into reproductive health without altering core eligibility rules for other federal benefits.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Health Resources and Services Administration and Administration for Community Living in grant administration, training oversight, and technical assistance.
- Citizens: Improves access to preventive care, contraception counseling, prenatal services, and abortion care for an estimated 1 in 4 U.S. adults with disabilities, potentially reducing higher rates of adverse outcomes like maternal mortality.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with disabilities and their families.
- Health care providers, including federally qualified health centers and Title X clinics.
- Educational institutions, medical schools, and nursing programs.
- Federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Tribal organizations, states, and territories.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill reinforces existing protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, and Affordable Care Act Section 1557 by promoting compliance with accessibility standards for medical equipment. It does not introduce new mandates on states or private entities beyond grant-based incentives. The legislation highlights reproductive autonomy for disabled individuals while addressing historical discrimination, with no apparent constitutional conflicts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (19)
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-05-14: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act — issued 2026-05-14 — PDF (29 pages)