Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act

This bill boosts Medicaid funding for maternal health. It has the federal government pay 90% of the extra costs that states spend above 2019 levels on maternal health services, so states can expand care without carrying most of the new costs. This higher support starts after a one-year ramp-up, beginning on January 1 of the following year.

The funding must add to, not replace, existing state dollars, and it must go toward improving capacity, efficiency, and quality of care. Covered services include prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care; telehealth; home visiting; and mental or behavioral health care. These services can be provided by maternity care providers (like doctors, nurse practitioners, and midwives) and perinatal health workers (like doulas and community health workers). The postpartum period is defined as the first year after a pregnancy ends .

• Who is affected: People who are pregnant or in the first year after pregnancy and use Medicaid; providers such as doctors, midwives, doulas; and state Medicaid programs .
• What changes: The federal government covers 90% of new state spending on these maternal health services, above what states spent in 2019; funds must supplement current spending and improve care quality .
• When: After a one-year lead time, starting on January 1 of the next year.