H 7708Public Health

Making an Appropriation of $2,700,000 to Be Used for Maternal Health Improvement and Equity

Appropriates $2.7 million annually to the Department of Health for maternal health improvement, data surveillance, and community access grants.

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Introduced Feb 11, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution appropriates $2,700,000 annually, beginning in fiscal year 2026-2027, to the Rhode Island Department of Health to support comprehensive maternal health improvement and equity initiatives. The funding is intended to establish and maintain several targeted programs aimed at improving health outcomes, reducing disparities, and providing better care for mothers and infants across the state. By making this an annual appropriation, the legislature aims to provide a reliable and sustainable financial foundation for these critical public health efforts.

The $2.7 million appropriation is explicitly divided into four distinct operational areas to ensure a multi-faceted approach to maternal health. First, $750,000 is allocated for a maternal health data and surveillance unit, which will track, analyze, and report on maternal health outcomes and disparities. Second, the largest portion of $1,200,000 is dedicated to a workplace development program designed to train and support maternal health professionals. Third, $600,000 is set aside for community maternal health access grants to fund grassroots and local health initiatives.

Finally, the remaining $150,000 is provided for advisory council operations, community engagement, and mandatory reporting requirements. The state controller is authorized and directed to draw orders upon the general treasurer to distribute these funds upon the receipt of properly authenticated vouchers, ensuring proper financial oversight of the newly appropriated funds.

For younger readers

This bill gives $2.7 million every year to help mothers and babies stay healthy. The money will be used to track health data, train healthcare workers, and give grants to local communities. This helps make sure all moms get the care they need.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Pregnant individualsMothers and infantsHealthcare workersDepartment of Health employeesCommunity health organizations

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. The legislature has clear constitutional authority to appropriate state funds for public health and welfare programs.

Estimated cost

$2,700,000 annually

Estimated revenue

Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Directly funds maternal health equity, addressing systemic disparities in healthcare outcomes for marginalized groups.
Provides $600,000 in community grants to support grassroots and local health initiatives.
Establishes a data surveillance unit to better understand, track, and combat maternal mortality.
Creates sustainable, recurring annual funding rather than relying on a one-time grant.
May argue that $2.7 million annually is insufficient to fully address systemic maternal health inequities across the state.
Does not explicitly mandate that the community grants go to the most marginalized or minority communities, leaving it up to the department's discretion.

For Conservatives

Improves data collection and surveillance, ensuring future public health decisions are evidence-based.
Invests heavily ($1.2M) in workforce development, which can boost local employment and economic growth in the healthcare sector.
Clearly itemizes the budget allocation, providing transparency on exactly how the funds will be spent.
Creates a new recurring annual expense of $2.7 million, permanently increasing the state budget.
Expands government bureaucracy by funding new advisory councils and surveillance units.
May view specific 'equity' initiatives as unnecessary or politically motivated spending compared to general healthcare funding.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated beginning FY 2026, and annually thereafter, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026- 2027, the sum of two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($2,700,000). The monies shall be appropriated as follows:

(1) Seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) for the maternal health data and surveillance unit established pursuant to § 23-13.9-4;

(2) One million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000) for the workplace development program established pursuant to § 23-13.9-5;

(3) Six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) for community maternal health access grants established pursuant to § 23-13.9-6; and

(4) One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) for advisory council operations, community engagement and reporting. The state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt by him of properly authenticated vouchers. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,700,0 TO BE USED FOR MATERNAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND EQUITY *** This resolution would appropriate the sum of $2,700,000 to the department of health for maternal health improvement and equity.