NIH IMPROVE Act
The NIH IMPROVE Act (HR 6238) establishes a new NIH research initiative focused on improving maternal health outcomes in the U.S. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum women, particularly those in communities experiencing health disparities linked to higher maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. The bill authorizes $73.4 million annually (2026-2031) for NIH to fund research targeting preventable causes of maternal deaths, reduce health disparities, and evaluate community-based interventions. Key provisions require NIH to advance evidence-based solutions through grants and studies on biological, behavioral, and regional factors affecting maternal health before, during, and after pregnancy.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Jul 2026
House Passage
Jul 2026
Senate Passage
President
Introduced Nov 20, 2025
Last action Jul 21, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced in House
→
Engrossed in House
·
4 edits
·
Jul 20, 2026
MODERATE
The Engrossed version of HR 6238 (NIH IMPROVE Act) reduces the authorized funding for the maternal health research initiative from $73.4 million per year to $63.4 million per year and shortens the authorization period from fiscal years 2026-2031 to 2026-2030, cutting total authorized spending by approximately $123.4 million. The remaining changes are minor formatting fixes, including adding the word 'Act' to the short title and adjusting spacing.
FISCAL
Annual authorization reduced from $73,400,000 to $63,400,000 (a $10 million per year decrease).
TIMELINE
Authorization period shortened from fiscal years 2026 through 2031 (6 years) to fiscal years 2026 through 2030 (5 years), reducing total authorized funding from approximately $440.4 million to $317 million.
TECHNICAL
Short title corrected to include the word 'Act' at the end: 'the NIH Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone Act.'
Formatting adjustments including adding a period after the section 2 heading and inserting blank lines before subsections for readability.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
3
Jul 21, 2026
Committee
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
upper
Jul 20, 2026
Introduced
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4651)
lower
Jul 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4651)
lower
Jul 20, 2026
Introduced
Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
lower
Jul 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-734.
lower
May 21, 2026
Introduced
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
lower
May 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Nov 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
lower
Nov 20, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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