Healthy Moms and Babies Act
Healthy Moms and Babies Act
Plain Language Summary
# Healthy Moms and Babies Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** The Healthy Moms and Babies Act would expand and improve maternal health services for low-income mothers and babies through two major government health programs: Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program). The bill would allow states to establish "maternity health homes"—coordinated care teams focused on pregnancy and postpartum support—and create a program to increase telehealth services (remote medical visits) for pregnant and postpartum women.
It would also fund research on doula services (birth coaches/support people) and establish an advisory group to review best practices in childbirth care. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects pregnant women and new mothers enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, which serve lower-income families. It would also impact healthcare providers, states administering these programs, and potentially the healthcare workforce by establishing new training and staffing requirements focused on maternal care. **Key Provisions:** Major elements include funding for maternity health homes, a telehealth demonstration program, a study on covering doula services, creation of an advisory group on birthing practices, and requirements for federal guidance on addressing social factors affecting maternal health (like housing and food security) to reduce maternal mortality rates. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Healthy Moms and Babies Act This bill establishes programs and requirements to support maternal health services under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For example, the bill allows state Medicaid programs to cover services that are provided by maternity health homes (designated providers or health teams that provide pregnancy and postpartum coordinated care services). It also establishes a demonstration program to expand telehealth services for pregnant and postpartum women under Medicaid. The bill also establishes an advisory group on birthing practices for health care professionals, requires a study on Medicaid coverage of doula services, and establishes other requirements relating to the maternal health care workforce. It also requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop guidance on ways to address social determinants of health for pregnant and postpartum women and to reduce maternal mortality for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.