No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes a grant program under new section 760A of the Public Health Service Act authorizing $15 million for FY2025 through 2029 to support accredited midwifery schools and programs at institutions of higher education, including (1) direct student support (50% of funds), (2) establishment or expansion of programs (25%), and (3) increasing qualified preceptors (25%). It directs the Secretary to give special consideration to applicants agreeing to prioritize students planning to practice in health professional shortage areas and demonstrating a focus on increasing racial and ethnic minority representation in midwifery, and it prohibits funding for midwifery programs within schools of nursing. This section also amends definitional provisions in section 799B to include accredited midwifery schools and programs and degrees or certificates in midwifery.
This section establishes the Midwifery Expansion Program, authorizing the Secretary to award grants to schools of nursing (1) for direct support of students in accredited nurse-midwifery schools or programs, (2) to establish or expand accredited nurse-midwifery schools or programs, and (3) to secure, prepare, or support additional preceptors at clinical training sites for students training to become certified nurse-midwives. In awarding grants, the Secretary must give special consideration to schools of nursing that prioritize students pursuing nurse-midwifery in health professional shortage areas and that focus on increasing racial and ethnic minority representation in nurse-midwifery education. The section authorizes $20 million for FY2025 through FY2029, with amounts allocated as 50% for student support, 25% for program establishment or expansion, and 25% for preceptors.