WELLS Act

The WELLS Act requires hospitals, including those in rural areas, to create detailed discharge plans for pregnant patients who are expected to leave before giving birth, ensuring these plans include travel assessments and backup care options. This requirement takes effect on January 1, 2027, and mandates that hospitals discuss these plans with patients or their representatives in a language they understand. Additionally, the bill establishes a new funding program for rural training grants that must meet specific performance milestones regarding staff education and requires annual public reporting on training methods and patient outcomes. The legislation also creates a multi-center research initiative to evaluate different training models for healthcare professionals and develops a public dashboard to track maternal health metrics across federal agencies.