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S-4986Senate2026-07-15Health

Mamas First Act

YourVoice.Now Summary

Your MoneyWorkers & Jobs

Medicaid would have to cover doulas, midwives, and lactation help — with no copay — starting in 2027.

Your Money

Medicaid coverage for doulas and midwives — every state must offer it

States could not treat this as optional. Care before, during, and after birth from doulas, midwives, tribal midwives, and lactation counselors would be covered.

Out-of-pocket cost for that care — no copays allowed

States could not charge Medicaid enrollees anything for doula, midwife, or lactation services. The bar on cost sharing covers all of them.

Workers & Jobs

Paid work for doulas and lactation counselors — Medicaid would pay them

Doulas, midwives, and lactation counselors who meet the bill's standards could bill Medicaid directly, whether they work in homes, clinics, birth centers, or by video.

More about this bill

Pregnant people on Medicaid could bring in a doula, midwife, or lactation counselor and have Medicaid pay for it. Coverage would reach prenatal, labor, and postpartum care at home, in a clinic, at a birth center, or by video where state law allows. Every state would have to offer it, rather than leave it optional. No copays would be allowed for any of it. The change would apply to care given on or after January 1, 2027. States that need to pass their own law first would get extra time.

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
Senate
Status
summarized
Action
Introduced in Senate
Action Date
2026-07-15
Date Added
2026-08-25
Source
Congress.gov →

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