MIDWIVES for Service Members Act of 2025

This bill would test adding midwife care to TRICARE for people who are eligible for TRICARE. The Defense Department must start a five-year pilot within one year of the bill becoming law. If it works well, the department can set up a permanent program.

Key points

• Who is affected: People covered by TRICARE (“covered beneficiaries”). Services would be provided by certified professional midwives or certified midwives.
• What changes: TRICARE would offer midwife services during the pilot, with the option to make it permanent if successful.
• When: A plan to implement is due within 180 days. The pilot must begin within one year and run for five years.
• What will be tracked: Annual reports will cover costs, how many people got care, basic demographic data, measures of quality like maternal and fetal outcomes (including preterm birth, low birth weight, and C-section rates), patient satisfaction, access to care (wait times and travel times), overall effectiveness, possible cost savings, and recommendations on whether to change, extend, or make the program permanent.

Overall, this aims to expand access to midwife care within TRICARE and closely study results, costs, and patient experience before deciding on a long-term program.