WELLS Act
Rep. Kelly Introduces WELLS Act to Require Hospital Discharge Plans for Pregnant Patients
The WELLS Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being introduced in the House. It has been sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time, and the bill is not currently moving forward.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Pregnant individuals who visit a hospital with labor symptoms but are sent home before delivery would receive a formal discharge plan including clinical justification, travel distance assessment, transportation verification, and a backup hospital. This ensures patients understand why they are being discharged and have a clear plan if their condition worsens, potentially reducing preventable maternal deaths and complications from premature discharges.
Programs
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articles
New bill aims to protect Black women in labor after Indiana mom forced to give birth roadside
Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) introduced the WELLS Act to mandate 'Safe Discharge Labor Plans' for hospitals. The bill requires clinical justification for discharge, travel distance assessments, and racial bias training for staff, following a viral incident involving a roadside birth.
Kelly introduces WELLS Act, new maternal health bill named after constituent from Dolton
The Women Expansion for Learning and Labor Safety (WELLS) Act seeks to prevent traumatic situations by requiring hospitals to develop formal discharge plans. It includes assessments of travel time and transportation reliability, ensuring patients understand instructions in their primary language.
Federal bill would mandate “safe discharge” plans for patients in labor
The WELLS Act would require all hospitals providing obstetric or emergency services to implement a 'safe discharge labor plan.' Requirements include clinical justification for discharge, travel distance assessments, and mandatory racial bias training for healthcare professionals.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
WELLS Act
Data Sources
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