Legis Daily

Ensuring OB–GYN Care in Prisons Act

USA119th CongressHR-7733| House 
| Updated: 2/26/2026
Valerie P. Foushee

Valerie P. Foushee

Democratic Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (15)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Ensuring OB-GYN Care in Prisons Act" aims to significantly improve healthcare access for female prisoners by amending title 18, United States Code. It mandates that the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) ensure all female prisoners have access to an obstetrician-gynecologist, requiring at least one full-time, board-certified OB-GYN at every BOP facility housing female prisoners. Under this bill, each female prisoner must receive an initial OB-GYN visit within 14 days of imprisonment. The employed OB-GYNs are tasked with providing a comprehensive range of services, including: menstrual health care and pain management contraceptive counseling and access diagnosis and treatment of gynecological conditions cancer screenings prenatal care, pregnancy screenings, and postpartum care mental health screening for postpartum depression The legislation also establishes crucial protections for prisoners, ensuring informed consent for exams, the right to refuse non-emergency care, and clear communication in their preferred language. Furthermore, it requires the use of trauma-informed care standards for survivors of sexual violence and mandates a process for referrals to other medical specialists, prohibiting denial of care based on cost or staffing. To ensure accountability, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons must submit annual reports to Congress. These reports will detail OB-GYN employment, vacancies, the number of visits, childbirths, high-risk pregnancies, and any pregnancy-related deaths of female prisoners or their newborn children.
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Timeline
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 26, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • February 26, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 26, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Ensuring OB–GYN Care in Prisons Act

USA119th CongressHR-7733| House 
| Updated: 2/26/2026
The "Ensuring OB-GYN Care in Prisons Act" aims to significantly improve healthcare access for female prisoners by amending title 18, United States Code. It mandates that the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) ensure all female prisoners have access to an obstetrician-gynecologist, requiring at least one full-time, board-certified OB-GYN at every BOP facility housing female prisoners. Under this bill, each female prisoner must receive an initial OB-GYN visit within 14 days of imprisonment. The employed OB-GYNs are tasked with providing a comprehensive range of services, including: menstrual health care and pain management contraceptive counseling and access diagnosis and treatment of gynecological conditions cancer screenings prenatal care, pregnancy screenings, and postpartum care mental health screening for postpartum depression The legislation also establishes crucial protections for prisoners, ensuring informed consent for exams, the right to refuse non-emergency care, and clear communication in their preferred language. Furthermore, it requires the use of trauma-informed care standards for survivors of sexual violence and mandates a process for referrals to other medical specialists, prohibiting denial of care based on cost or staffing. To ensure accountability, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons must submit annual reports to Congress. These reports will detail OB-GYN employment, vacancies, the number of visits, childbirths, high-risk pregnancies, and any pregnancy-related deaths of female prisoners or their newborn children.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 26, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • February 26, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 26, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Valerie P. Foushee

Valerie P. Foushee

Democratic Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (15)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted