Megan Benton advocates Senate Bill 2626 for improved pregnancy care education

The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened on April 7, 2025, to discuss several key legislative proposals, including Senate Bill 2626, which aims to enhance the education of medical professionals regarding pregnancy complications.

Megan Benton, a strategic policy associate for Texas Values Action, testified in favor of SB 2626. She emphasized the bill's importance in ensuring that healthcare providers receive quality education on handling pregnancy complications, particularly ectopic pregnancies. Benton highlighted that the bill would establish clear educational requirements for nurses and doctors, thereby improving the quality of care for women facing serious pregnancy issues. She noted that the training would not only equip medical professionals with the necessary knowledge but also enhance their communication skills when discussing sensitive matters with patients.

Following Benton’s testimony, the committee opened the floor for questions from members regarding the bill. The chair acknowledged the presence of other witnesses who had registered to testify, although some were unable to attend due to a concurrent hearing in the House on related topics. The committee then closed public testimony on SB 2626.

The meeting proceeded with the introduction of Senate Bill 506, presented by Senator Bettencourt, with Sandra Hall explaining the measure on behalf of the author. The discussions surrounding SB 506 were not detailed in the provided transcript.

In summary, the committee's session focused primarily on SB 2626, which seeks to improve medical training for pregnancy complications, reflecting a commitment to enhancing healthcare standards for women in Texas. Further discussions on additional bills, including SB 506, were also initiated, indicating a busy legislative agenda.