HB7912, titled the Neonatal Care Transparency Act of 2026, would require hospitals and obstetric providers to publicly disclose policies about the provision of life-saving care to premature infants. The bill focuses on whether a hospital has a minimum gestational age threshold for resuscitation or intensive intervention, whether decisions are made case by case, and how transfer to a higher-level neonatal intensive care unit would be handled when a facility cannot provide such care.
The bill also requires obstetricians and other providers with admitting privileges to disclose these hospital policies to patients at the first prenatal visit. In addition, it amends the Social Security Act to make compliance with these disclosure requirements a condition tied to Medicare participation for hospitals and to federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for hospitals and obstetric providers. The amendments would take effect 180 days after enactment, and the hospital disclosure requirement would begin on or after January 1, 2026 as written in the bill text.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add new federal disclosure obligations for hospitals and obstetric practitioners and would effectively condition certain federal health program payments on compliance. It would amend Medicare provider participation rules under Section 1866 of the Social Security Act and expand Medicaid and CHIP payment restrictions under Sections 1903 and 2107, affecting hospitals and providers that serve pregnant patients and premature infants. The practical effect would be to standardize transparency around neonatal resuscitation policies and transfer procedures, especially for facilities with neonatal intensive care capabilities.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented floor or committee sentiment in the supplied materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears framed as a transparency and parental-notice proposal, emphasizing informed consent, hospital accountability, and access to neonatal care. The findings suggest the sponsor views the bill as a response to inconsistent hospital practices and a need for clearer disclosure to expectant parents.
Contention
The main point of contention likely concerns the bill’s use of federal funding leverage to compel disclosure, particularly the Medicaid and CHIP payment restrictions for noncompliant hospitals and providers. Another likely issue is whether requiring disclosure of a hospital’s gestational-age threshold could create pressure on clinical decision-making or expose differences in neonatal care practices in a politically sensitive area. Supporters would likely emphasize transparency and parental choice, while critics may argue the bill could oversimplify complex medical judgments or interfere indirectly with provider discretion.
Requires certain information about pregnancy, adoption, and neonatal care to be posted and distributed at school health centers in public high schools and student health centers on public postsecondary education institution campuses (EG +$270,936 GF EX See Note)
Amends and adds to existing law to provide for a licensed midwife to obtain and administer medication indicated for maternal care or neonatal care if a midwife possesses requisite education, training, and experience.
Amends and adds to existing law to provide for a licensed midwife to obtain and administer medication indicated for maternal care or neonatal care if a midwife possesses requisite education, training, and experience.