S. 2289 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jul 15, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands Medicaid support for pregnant and postpartum women
This bill strengthens maternal health services available through Medicaid and CHIP, the government health programs for low- and moderate-income families. It would allow states to cover care from maternity health homes (teams of providers focused on pregnancy and postpartum care) and would test whether expanding telehealth services helps pregnant and postpartum women access care. The bill also creates an advisory group on birthing practices, requires research on doula services, and directs federal officials to develop guidance for addressing the social factors—like transportation and housing—that affect maternal health outcomes.
How it affects you
If you're pregnant or recently gave birth and covered by Medicaid or CHIP, this bill could expand the types of care and providers available to you, including telehealth options that let you connect with providers from home. The bill focuses specifically on people with lower incomes who rely on these government health programs, aiming to improve outcomes during pregnancy and after birth.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jul 15, 2025)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2289
A BILL
Healthy Moms and Babies Act
Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) · Introduced Jul 15, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 19, 2026: “Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.”
Sections
Sections · 17
- Sec. 1Short title; table of contentsNo change
- Sec. 2DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 3Mandatory reporting by State Medicaid programs on adult health care quality measures of maternal and perinatal healthNo change
- Sec. 4Medicaid quality improvement initiatives to reduce rates of cesarean sections; Medicare requirement for hospitals to report on data on cesarean birthsNo change
- Sec. 5State option to provide coordinated care through a health home for pregnant and postpartum womenNo change
- Sec. 6Guidance on care coordination to support maternal healthNo change
- Sec. 7National reskilling of the maternity care workforceNo change
- Sec. 8MACPAC study on doulas and community health workers; guidance on increasing access to doula services under MedicaidNo change
- Sec. 9Demonstration projects to improve the delivery of maternal health care through telehealthNo change
- Sec. 10CMS report on coverage of remote physiologic monitoring devices and impact on maternal and child health outcomes under MedicaidNo change
- Sec. 11Guidance on community-based maternal health programsNo change
- Sec. 12Developing guidance on maternal mortality and severe morbidity reduction for maternal care providers receiving payment under the Medicaid programNo change
- Sec. 13Program related to reducing cesarean births and increasing rates of vaginal birth after cesareanNo change
- Sec. 14Collection of information related to social determinants of the health of Medicaid and CHIP beneficiariesNo change
- Sec. 15Report on payment methodologies for transferring pregnant women between facilities before, during, and after childbirthNo change
- Sec. 16Medicaid guidance on State options to address social determinants of health for pregnant and postpartum womenNo change
- Sec. 17Payment error rate measurement (PERM) audit and improvement requirementsNo change