YourVoice.Now Summary
Average Household ImpactMedicaid would have to cover doulas, midwives, and lactation support in every state, with no copays.
Average Household Impact
- Medicaid maternity coverage — Doula, midwife, tribal midwife, and lactation support services added
- Mandatory state coverage — States must cover these services rather than choosing to
- Out-of-pocket cost — Copays and other cost sharing barred for these services
The details
Doula support, midwife care, and lactation help are not covered by Medicaid in every state. Those services would become a required Medicaid benefit nationwide, starting January 1, 2027. Coverage would follow the patient — at home, in the community, at a hospital, birth center, or clinic, and by telehealth where state law allows. Prenatal, labor, and postpartum care are all included. States could not charge copays or other cost sharing for this care. The bill spells out who counts as a doula, midwife, tribal midwife, or lactation support provider, using certification, tribal recognition, or state Medicaid approval. Congress cites CDC figures of 45 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women, against 13.6 for White women.
Congressional Summary
Mamas First ActThis bill requires state Medicaid programs to cover services furnished by doulas, midwives, and lactation support providers, including prenatal, delivery, and postpartum services, in a variety of settings.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2026-07-15
- Date Added
- 2026-07-28
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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