Expanding the reproductive health care nursing workforce

Section 821 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 296m) is amended by adding at the end the following: (d) Expanding the reproductive health care nursing workforce (1) Awards To assist individuals with disabilities in undertaking education to enter into the reproductive nursing workforce, the Secretary may award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under subsection (a)(1) to eligible entities to enable such entities to carry out the activities described in paragraph (3). (2) Application To be eligible to receive an award under paragraph (1), an entity described in such paragraph shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3) Use of funds An entity shall use amounts received under an award under paragraph (1) to— (A) conduct activities to develop a competitive applicant pool, through partnership with public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education, local educational agencies, nurse-managed health clinics, health care providers, such as sexual and reproductive health care providers and nurses, or other community-based entities, and establish an education pipeline for individuals with disabilities entering the sexual and reproductive health care nursing workforce; (B) establish, strengthen, or expand programs to support the academic performance of individuals with disabilities participating in activities funded under this subsection, including mentorship programs; (C) identify, recruit, enroll, and retain individuals with disabilities in education and training related to sexual and reproductive health care; (D) improve the capacity of the entity involved to train, recruit, and retain faculty with disabilities, including the payment of such stipends and fellowships as the Secretary may determine appropriate; (E) carry out activities to improve the information resources, clinical education, curricula, and competencies of the graduates of the entity involved, as it relates to individuals with disabilities; (F) facilitate faculty and student research to include evidence-based practice and quality improvement projects focused on health issues affecting individuals with disabilities, including research on issues relating to the delivery of sexual and reproductive health care to individuals with disabilities; (G) carry out programs, or offer experiences, to train students in providing sexual and reproductive health services to individuals with disabilities at community-based health care facilities that provide sexual and reproductive health services; (H) provide stipends to individuals with disabilities participating in activities funded under this subsection as the Secretary determines appropriate, in amounts as the Secretary determines appropriate, with an assurance that such stipends shall not result in the loss of an individual’s Federal or State benefits; or (I) carry out any other activities that the Secretary may require. (4) Preference In awarding grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give preference to applications that have been approved for programs that involve a comprehensive approach through multiple entities described in paragraph (1) to establish, enhance, and expand educational programs that will result in the development of a competitive applicant pool of individuals with disabilities who desire to pursue careers in sexual and reproductive health care services. (5) Consideration for awards In awarding grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall— (A) consider current enrollment trends and the needs of certain populations, including individuals with disabilities; and (B) align and coordinate with other training programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. (6) Effect on other programs Assistance or stipends provided to an individual under this subsection shall not be considered when applying asset or resource limitation provisions related to the eligibility of such individual for any benefit, assistance, or service provided under any Federal or State program. (7) Report Not later than 180 days after the end of the award period, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report concerning the activities carried out under this subsection to increase the representation of individuals with disabilities in the sexual and reproductive health profession and related training programs. (8) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Funds provided to carry out this subsection shall supplement not supplant funds otherwise made available to carry out this title..