Rep. Underwood Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Spend $440 Million on Maternal Health Research
NIH IMPROVE Act
The NIH IMPROVE Act is moving forward after the House Committee on Energy and Commerce voted to approve it on May 20, 2026. The bill now waits for the full House of Representatives to consider it. It is actively moving through the legislative process.
The bill has support from both parties and addresses a widely recognized public health crisis, though it must still compete for funding in the budget process.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Reintroduced
Reintroduced from H.R. 8037 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
H.R. 8037 (118th) →Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
This bill would fund research aimed directly at reducing preventable maternal deaths and severe complications during and after pregnancy. Women from communities with the highest maternal mortality rates would especially benefit, as the initiative targets health disparities and funds community-based interventions in those areas. While the research itself takes time to translate into clinical practice, findings could lead to better prenatal and postpartum care standards that save lives.
“reduce preventable causes of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity”
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4651)
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6238.
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to reintroduce the NIH IMPROVE Act, authorizing $73.4 million annually for seven years to support research into the root causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, with a focus on reducing racial and rural health disparities.
The NIH IMPROVE Act would provide $73.4 million annually through 2031 for the National Institutes of Health’s IMPROVE Initiative. The funding aims to secure long-term resources for studying pregnancy-related complications and improving outcomes in 'maternal care deserts' across the country.
The NIH IMPROVE Act is highlighted as a critical bipartisan measure to investigate the root causes of maternal mortality. While the bill seeks to codify tens of millions in annual research funding, its future remains uncertain amid proposed federal budget cuts to public health programs.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
NIH IMPROVE Act
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