Low-income pregnant and postpartum people covered by Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) would keep their coverage for a full year after giving birth, instead of the current 60 days (states could extend it even longer). During that year they would receive full health benefits — the same coverage other adult Medicaid enrollees get, not just pregnancy-related care — and states would have to cover dental and other oral-health services for them. Starting in 2027 the federal government would pay 100 percent of the extra costs states take on for this expanded pregnancy coverage, and states would be barred from tightening eligibility or cutting benefits for this group (a “maintenance of effort” rule). The bill also restores a payment floor that pays primary-care providers — now including midwives, nurse practitioners, and community health centers — at least Medicare rates, with up to 25 percent more in rural and underserved areas. It creates a five-year “maternity care home” demonstration in at least 10 states plus one territory, giving grants to birth centers, community health centers, and tribal facilities to coordinate prenatal, postpartum, mental-health, oral-health, and support services, with funding authorized for 2027 through 2034. Finally, it orders several government studies — from the GAO, MACPAC, and CMS — on maternal coverage gaps, doula services, and telehealth for maternity care.
Average Household Impact
- Postpartum Medicaid coverage — Extended from 60 days to 1 year after pregnancy
- Postpartum CHIP coverage — Extended from 60 days to 1 year after pregnancy
- Benefits for pregnant and postpartum enrollees — Full state-plan benefits required, not just pregnancy-related care
- Dental coverage — Oral health services added for pregnant and postpartum enrollees
- Eligibility protections — States barred from tightening pregnancy coverage or cutting benefits (maintenance of effort)
- Medicaid primary-care payment floor — Restored at Medicare rates and extended to midwives and more providers
Transparency & Accountability
- Reporting requirements — GAO reports required on maternal coverage gaps and telehealth access
- Reporting requirements — MACPAC report and CMS guidance required on Medicaid doula access
- Program oversight — Independent evaluator and annual reports required for the maternity care demonstration
Congressional Summary
Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act or the MOMMIES Act This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) relating to maternal health. For example, the bill expands eligibility for coverage under Medicaid and CHIP from 60 days to one year after the last day of pregnancy and requires such coverage to include oral health services. The bill also establishes a demonstration program in which states receive grants to implement or expand models for maternity care homes that provide services to Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaries. The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) gaps in coverage under Medicaid and CHIP for pregnant and postpartum women, and (2) the use of telehealth by state Medicaid programs to increase access to maternity care.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-06-24
- Date Added
- 2026-07-15
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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