This bill matters because many communities, especially in rural areas, are losing access to local maternity care services, forcing expectant mothers to travel long distances for essential care. This can lead to worse health outcomes for both mothers and babies. If this bill becomes law, it could help stabilize and expand local birthing options by ensuring hospitals are paid fairly for their services and receive increased federal funding.
Additionally, the bill addresses critical issues in maternal health, such as ensuring new mothers have continuous health insurance coverage for a full year after giving birth. This is vital for addressing postpartum complications, including mental health issues. If the bill doesn't pass, the trend of obstetric unit closures in vulnerable communities might continue, and pregnant and postpartum individuals may continue to face significant barriers to accessing comprehensive maternal healthcare.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires states to conduct studies on the costs of providing maternity, labor, and delivery services and mandates that Medicaid and CHIP pay adequate rates for these services at eligible hospitals.
This ensures hospitals are fairly compensated for essential care, which can prevent the closure of obstetric units and maintain access for patients.
PROVISION 02
Increases the federal government's financial contribution for Medicaid and CHIP payments for maternity, labor, and delivery services provided by eligible hospitals.
This provides greater financial relief to states and hospitals, making it more sustainable to offer critical maternal care.
PROVISION 03
Requires continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant individuals for 12 months following childbirth.
This significantly improves maternal health outcomes by ensuring access to healthcare during the crucial postpartum period, addressing both physical and mental health needs.
PROVISION 04
Establishes an Emergency Obstetric Workforce Support program and streamlines the screening and enrollment of maternal healthcare providers across state lines.
This helps address shortages of maternal healthcare professionals and improves access to care, particularly in underserved areas.
PROVISION 05
Mandates timely public notification of impending hospital obstetric unit closures and improves data collection related to hospital labor and delivery services.
This increases transparency for communities and allows for better planning and resource allocation to prevent gaps in essential care.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill matters because many communities, especially in rural areas, are losing access to local maternity care services, forcing expectant mothers to travel long distances for essential care. This can lead to worse health outcomes for both mothers and babies. If this bill becomes law, it could help stabilize and expand local birthing options by ensuring hospitals are paid fairly for their services and receive increased federal funding.
Additionally, the bill addresses critical issues in maternal health, such as ensuring new mothers have continuous health insurance coverage for a full year after giving birth. This is vital for addressing postpartum complications, including mental health issues. If the bill doesn't pass, the trend of obstetric unit closures in vulnerable communities might continue, and pregnant and postpartum individuals may continue to face significant barriers to accessing comprehensive maternal healthcare.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires states to conduct studies on the costs of providing maternity, labor, and delivery services and mandates that Medicaid and CHIP pay adequate rates for these services at eligible hospitals.
This ensures hospitals are fairly compensated for essential care, which can prevent the closure of obstetric units and maintain access for patients.
high
Increases the federal government's financial contribution for Medicaid and CHIP payments for maternity, labor, and delivery services provided by eligible hospitals.
This provides greater financial relief to states and hospitals, making it more sustainable to offer critical maternal care.
high
Requires continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant individuals for 12 months following childbirth.
This significantly improves maternal health outcomes by ensuring access to healthcare during the crucial postpartum period, addressing both physical and mental health needs.
med
Establishes an Emergency Obstetric Workforce Support program and streamlines the screening and enrollment of maternal healthcare providers across state lines.
This helps address shortages of maternal healthcare professionals and improves access to care, particularly in underserved areas.
med
Mandates timely public notification of impending hospital obstetric unit closures and improves data collection related to hospital labor and delivery services.
This increases transparency for communities and allows for better planning and resource allocation to prevent gaps in essential care.
Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter
Each state must conduct a study on the costs of providing maternity, labor, and delivery services and submit results to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Grants and technical assistance to small hospitals for compiling cost information
discretionary
fiscal year 2026
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act
The sections of a major federal law that created and govern the Medicaid program (Title XIX) and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, Title XXI).
Rural hospital
A hospital located in an area defined as rural by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, often serving communities with limited healthcare options.
Safety net hospital
A hospital that provides a significant amount of care to patients who are uninsured, covered by Medicaid, or are otherwise vulnerable and may have limited access to other healthcare.
Maternity, labor, and delivery services
The medical care provided to pregnant individuals before, during, and immediately after childbirth, including prenatal care, labor support, delivery, and immediate postpartum care.
Medicaid
A joint federal and state program that helps cover healthcare costs for people with limited income and resources.
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
A joint federal and state program that provides low-cost health coverage to children in families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JUN 12, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JUN 12, 25
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The portion of funding that the federal government contributes to state-run programs like Medicaid and CHIP.
Postpartum period
The time after childbirth, often considered to be up to 12 months, during which a person's body recovers and adjusts.
Doula
A trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth.
