Johnson-Hostler submits North Carolina bill to enhance support for high-risk pregnancies

A bill introduced by State Rep. Monika Johnson-Hostler in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance services for high-risk pregnancies and decrease disparities in maternal health across the state, according to the North Carolina State House.

HB 1172, filed on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, carries the official short title: ‘The Ciji Graham Act.’

Below is a detailed overview, referencing the text of the bill, with clarifications included for understanding its main points.

If passed, the legislation, set for implementation on July 1, 2026, would launch several programs to increase care quality for high-risk pregnancies and address maternal health inequities in North Carolina. The act would allocate $2.3 million in recurring funds to create a High-Risk Pregnancy Care Navigation Program, placing nurse consultants in each Medicaid managed care region to help with referrals, overcome access barriers and offer telehealth services. It would dedicate $7.7 million annually for a statewide pregnancy consultation hotline available to clinicians and community organizations. The bill also mandates the creation of a centralized digital clinical information hub and standardized pathways for both pregnancy care and, where permitted by state law, pregnancy termination services.

A companion measure, SB 907, was introduced in the North Carolina Senate by Sen. Natalie S. Murdock and two colleagues on April 29, 2026.

Of the three primary sponsors backing HB 1172, Julia Greenfield authored the most bills—41—during the 2025 regular session.

Legislation in North Carolina must follow a rigorous multi-step process prior to enactment. After a bill is filed, it is referred to a committee for review, read three times in each legislative chamber and must have any inter-chamber revisions reconciled before final passage. When the same version is approved by both the House and Senate, the legislation heads to the governor, who then has 10 days (or 30 if the assembly is out of session) to sign, veto or allow the bill to become law without signature.

Additional details about current bills and legislative actions are available here.

Johnson-Hostler earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Fayetteville State University.

A Democrat, Johnson-Hostler was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 as the representative for the 33rd House district, succeeding former state representative Rosa Gill.