Bills · S 1598
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1598Health
BABIES Act
INTRO MAY 5· LAST ACTION MAY 5
READING
16MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it tries to address the growing problem of maternity care deserts and high maternal mortality rates in the U.S. Many areas lack sufficient birthing facilities, forcing pregnant people to travel long distances or limit their options. By expanding access to birth centers, which often provide a more holistic, low-intervention birthing experience, the bill aims to offer more choices and potentially improve health outcomes for mothers and babies.
If this bill becomes law, it could mean more communities have access to local birth centers, reducing travel burdens and increasing birthing options beyond hospitals. For individuals on Medicaid, it could make birth center care more accessible and affordable. If it doesn't pass, birth centers may continue to struggle with start-up costs and inconsistent payment models, making it harder for them to expand and serve more people, especially in underserved areas.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a grant program for freestanding birth centers to cover start-up, expansion, equipment, and accreditation costs.
This directly helps birth centers open or grow, increasing the availability of these facilities.
PROVISION 02
Prioritizes grants for birth centers located in areas with maternity care shortages or poor maternal health outcomes.
This focuses resources on communities most in need of improved maternity care access.
PROVISION 03
Requires the creation of a Medicaid demonstration program to explore better payment models for birth center services for low-risk pregnancies.
This aims to improve the financial stability of birth centers, making their services more accessible to Medicaid beneficiaries.
PROVISION 04
Sets strict criteria for birth centers to participate in the Medicaid program, including accreditation, state licensure, care coordination, and emergency transfer plans.
These criteria ensure that birth centers provide safe, high-quality care and can seamlessly coordinate with other healthcare providers.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes $5,000,000 in funding for the birth center grant program for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
This provides the financial backing necessary to implement the grant program over several years.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· New Mexico
YRS IN OFFICE
17
BILLS LED
86
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAY 5
Introduced in Senate
MAY 5
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 1598
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMay 5, 2025
Last actionMay 5, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 5, 2025
Senate BillS 1598Health
BABIES Act
INTRODUCED MAY 5, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 5, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
16 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
