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Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

USA119th CongressHR-8829| House 
| Updated: 5/14/2026
Ayanna Pressley

Ayanna Pressley

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act seeks to significantly improve access to and quality of sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. It acknowledges that disabled individuals face unique barriers, including inaccessible facilities, a lack of trained providers, and harmful stereotypes, leading to disparities in care and adverse health outcomes. To address these challenges, the legislation establishes a program to award grants for training health care professionals. This training will focus on providing equitable sexual and reproductive health care, covering comprehensive disability clinical care, awareness of discrimination, culturally competent care, and patient rights, with an emphasis on independence and self-determination. Eligible entities for these grants include multidisciplinary health care providers, institutions of higher education, and disability-led organizations. Furthermore, the bill creates programs designed to expand the reproductive health care provider and nursing workforces by increasing the representation of individuals with disabilities in these fields. Grants will support activities such as developing competitive applicant pools, recruiting and retaining disabled students and faculty, and providing stipends that do not affect federal or state benefits. The overarching goal is to cultivate a culturally and linguistically competent workforce capable of serving underserved populations effectively. The legislation also authorizes grants for education programs specifically focused on the sexual and reproductive health needs of individuals with disabilities, including youth. These programs will deliver evidence-based education in accessible formats, covering topics like abortion care options, legal rights, and disability-affirmative clinical resources. Additionally, a National Technical Assistance Center will be established to offer recommendations and support to health care providers on accessible and appropriate care, as well as compliance with federal laws. Finally, the bill mandates a comprehensive research study to identify effective programs and services, analyze federal, state, tribal, and local partnerships, and pinpoint necessary interagency agreements to improve integrated sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. This study will inform future efforts to overcome persistent barriers to care. Significant appropriations are authorized for these initiatives, totaling $10 million to $15 million annually for each program from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with $15 million specifically for the research study in 2027.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-9040
Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4901
Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act
May 14, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4540
Introduced in Senate
May 14, 2026
Introduced in House
May 14, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-9040
    Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4901
    Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act


  • May 14, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4540
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 14, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 14, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Health

Related Bills

  • S 119-4540: Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

USA119th CongressHR-8829| House 
| Updated: 5/14/2026
The Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act seeks to significantly improve access to and quality of sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. It acknowledges that disabled individuals face unique barriers, including inaccessible facilities, a lack of trained providers, and harmful stereotypes, leading to disparities in care and adverse health outcomes. To address these challenges, the legislation establishes a program to award grants for training health care professionals. This training will focus on providing equitable sexual and reproductive health care, covering comprehensive disability clinical care, awareness of discrimination, culturally competent care, and patient rights, with an emphasis on independence and self-determination. Eligible entities for these grants include multidisciplinary health care providers, institutions of higher education, and disability-led organizations. Furthermore, the bill creates programs designed to expand the reproductive health care provider and nursing workforces by increasing the representation of individuals with disabilities in these fields. Grants will support activities such as developing competitive applicant pools, recruiting and retaining disabled students and faculty, and providing stipends that do not affect federal or state benefits. The overarching goal is to cultivate a culturally and linguistically competent workforce capable of serving underserved populations effectively. The legislation also authorizes grants for education programs specifically focused on the sexual and reproductive health needs of individuals with disabilities, including youth. These programs will deliver evidence-based education in accessible formats, covering topics like abortion care options, legal rights, and disability-affirmative clinical resources. Additionally, a National Technical Assistance Center will be established to offer recommendations and support to health care providers on accessible and appropriate care, as well as compliance with federal laws. Finally, the bill mandates a comprehensive research study to identify effective programs and services, analyze federal, state, tribal, and local partnerships, and pinpoint necessary interagency agreements to improve integrated sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. This study will inform future efforts to overcome persistent barriers to care. Significant appropriations are authorized for these initiatives, totaling $10 million to $15 million annually for each program from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with $15 million specifically for the research study in 2027.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-9040
Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4901
Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act
May 14, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4540
Introduced in Senate
May 14, 2026
Introduced in House
May 14, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-9040
    Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4901
    Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act


  • May 14, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4540
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 14, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 14, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Ayanna Pressley

Ayanna Pressley

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Energy and Commerce Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • S 119-4540: Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted