Sponsors (6)
The bill expands and finances more comprehensive, longer postpartum Medicaid coverage and supportive maternal services to improve maternal and infant outcomes and equity, but does so at the cost of increased federal and state spending, added administrative requirements, and the risk of uneven access or unsustained services across states.
Pregnant and postpartum Medicaid enrollees (particularly low-income women) will keep continuous, full Medicaid coverage for 1 year after pregnancy — including full-scope benefits and required oral health services — reducing insurance gaps and improving maternal health.
Medicaid/CHIP participants in the demonstration and related programs gain coordinated maternity and wraparound supports (care coordinators, doulas, lactation, transportation, housing referrals) and expanded access in FQHCs, rural clinics, tribal facilities — improving maternal and infant outcomes and reducing nonmedical barriers for underserved families.
Medicaid enrollees (including pregnant people) will have better primary care access because payments for defined primary care services must meet at least 100% of Medicare Part B rates, which should improve provider participation and continuity of care.
State governments will face substantially higher Medicaid costs and administrative burdens to implement 1-year postpartum coverage, expanded benefits (including oral health and doulas), higher primary-care payment floors, and program reporting/coordination — straining state budgets and agencies.
Federal spending and long-term budgetary pressures will grow (enhanced FMAP, demonstration appropriations, higher payment minimums), potentially raising taxpayer costs and competing with other federal priorities.
Access and benefits may be uneven: demonstration selection, waiver flexibilities, and guidance without dedicated funding mean some states or populations may not receive expanded services, producing geographic inequities in maternal care.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Extends Medicaid/CHIP postpartum continuous coverage to 12 months, requires full benefits, funds a maternity care home demo, raises Medicaid primary care payment floors, and studies doulas/telehealth.
Official title: Amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to improve Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program for low-income mothers.
Introduced June 24, 2026 by Cory Anthony Booker · Last progress June 24, 2026
Extends Medicaid and CHIP postpartum continuous coverage from 60 days to 12 months after the end of pregnancy (States may elect longer) and requires full-scope Medicaid benefits for those covered during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It also creates a 5-year federal Maternity Care Home demonstration for states, raises a Medicaid primary care payment floor to at least Medicare rates for defined services, and directs studies and guidance on doula coverage and telehealth for maternity care. The bill includes authorization of grants and reporting requirements: HHS must run the demonstration, evaluate it, and report to Congress; MACPAC must report on doula coverage and CMS must issue guidance; GAO must report on telehealth in maternity care. It authorizes funding for the demonstration and sets implementation and timing rules for payment and managed-care compliance provisions.