Identical to S 907, filed 4/29/26.

Includes whereas clauses and titles the act as the Ciji Graham Act.

Appropriates $2.3 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health (DPH) for 2026-27 to establish a uniform High-Risk Pregnancy Care Navigation Program (the program) in the six NC Medicaid managed care regions to support the use of licensed nurses in the care of individuals experiencing high-risk pregnancies. Allocates funding in specified amounts to: (1) establish 12 Nurse Consultant positions at DPH to be equally distributed across the regions; and (2) cover the cost of program administration and to purchase infrastructure needed to establish telehealth services, with up to 1% of the allotted amount permitted for DPH's administration of the program. Specifies four duties of Nurse Consultants that must be performed in-person or through telehealth services, as defined. Directs DPH to report annually to the specified NCGA committee and division, beginning September 1, 2028, on the establishment and operation of the program. Specifies required content.

Appropriates $7.7 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to DPH for 2026-27 to establish a statewide hotline that provides free, real-time consultation to healthcare providers serving pregnant patients and community organizations focused on caring for pregnant women. Requires staffing the hotline weekdays as specified with qualified healthcare providers capable of providing four described services including clinical guidance and referrals.

Directs DPH to report to the specified NCGA committee and division on September 1, 2027 and September 1, 2028, on specified information related to the hotline. Directs DHHS to develop and maintain a centralized, evidence-based digital information hub for clinicians managing patients with high-risk pregnancies. Details four informational categories that must be included in the hub, including updated clinical guidelines, a regionally organized directory of related providers, specialists and facilities, referral protocols, and decision-support tools.

Directs DHHS to consult with stakeholders to establish uniform referral pathways to ensure patients diagnosed with high-risk pregnancy conditions are offered immediate referrals, as elected, to appropriate high-risk obstetric or maternal-fetal medicine care or to qualified providers for pregnancy termination services.

Effective July 1, 2026.