Healthy Moms and Babies Act
Key claim: The Healthy Moms and Babies Act would expand Medicaid and CHIP maternal health services by authorizing maternity health homes, a telehealth demonstration program, doula service coverage study, and CMS guidance on social determinants of health for pregnant and postpartum women.
Abstract
(S2289 · 119th Congress) 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 (2026-03-19): Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
Why this matters
For Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries who are pregnant or postpartum, this bill would create new coverage pathways — coordinated care through maternity health homes, expanded telehealth access, and potentially reimbursed doula services — that could change what maternal care services states must offer and how they are delivered. For providers and state Medicaid agencies, the SDOH guidance and health home option would create new operational and reporting expectations. The proposal is at the introduced stage, so no immediate coverage or payment changes take effect.