Plain English Summary
The Ciji Graham Act establishes four maternal health initiatives in North Carolina: a care navigation program with nurse consultants in each Medicaid region to help high-risk pregnancy patients access care, a statewide hotline providing clinical guidance to healthcare providers, a digital information hub with clinical guidelines and provider directories for high-risk pregnancies, and standardized referral pathways for patients. The bill appropriates $10 million in recurring annual funding to the Department of Health and Human Services starting in fiscal year 2026-2027.
Arguments in Favor
Supporters argue this bill addresses significant disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women and rural populations in North Carolina. The legislation creates infrastructure to reduce delays in care coordination, improve access to specialists, and ensure pregnant patients receive timely, appropriate treatment—outcomes supporters contend are essential to preventing maternal deaths and serious health complications.
Arguments Against
Opponents may raise concerns about the $10 million annual recurring cost and its impact on the state budget, particularly given existing fiscal pressures. Some may also question the bill's inclusion of pregnancy termination referral services and whether state resources should fund guidance on options beyond continuing pregnancy, viewing this as beyond appropriate government scope.
AI-generated analysis based on bill text. Always verify with official sources at ncleg.gov. This is not legal or political advice.
Sponsors
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 100
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 57
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 33
Cosponsors (20)
Representative · District 8
Representative · District 115
Representative · District 48
Representative · District 45
Representative · District 102
Representative · District 49
Representative · District 112
Representative · District 42
Representative · District 41
Representative · District 27
Representative · District 50
Representative · District 40
Representative · District 30
Representative · District 61
Representative · District 114
Representative · District 18
Representative · District 36
Representative · District 88
Representative · District 32
Representative · District 11