Hospitals would need discharge plans for pregnant patients sent home in labor

What does this do?

The WELLS Act would require Medicare-participating hospitals to create a special discharge plan when a pregnant patient showing signs of labor is sent home rather than admitted. The plan must document the reason, assess distance from the hospital and transportation access, identify a backup delivery hospital, undergo review by a nurse or social worker, and be explained to the patient in their own language. The bill also adds performance requirements and public reporting to an existing rural maternal health training grant program and creates a federal research initiative and public dashboard on maternal health outcomes.

Who does it affect?

This affects hospitals, critical access hospitals, and rural emergency hospitals that participate in Medicare, plus all pregnant patients experiencing labor symptoms there, not just Medicare patients. It also affects federal health agencies overseeing maternal health training and research.

Why does it matter?

Hospitals would face new administrative and documentation requirements starting in 2027, and grant recipients would need to meet performance goals to keep funding, adding compliance obligations for participants in the training program.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Grant funding tied to performance goals
• Recipients must train set staff share
• Annual public reports on grant use

Where does it stand?