Healthy Moms and Babies Act
Key claim: The Healthy Moms and Babies Act would expand Medicaid and CHIP coverage for maternal health services including maternity health homes, telehealth for pregnant and postpartum women, doula services, and guidance on social determinants of health to reduce maternal mortality.
Abstract
(S948 · 118th 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 (2023-03-22): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Why this matters
The Healthy Moms and Babies Act would layer new Medicaid/CHIP maternal health benefits — maternity health homes, telehealth for pregnant and postpartum enrollees, and a doula coverage study — onto existing state Medicaid programs, potentially changing what perinatal services are reimbursed and by whom. For patients, it could expand access to non-clinical supports (doulas, SDOH-linked services) during pregnancy and the postpartum period; for states and CMS, it introduces new administrative pathways and guidance obligations. Status remains introduced, so no coverage changes take effect until enactment and implementation.