06/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/05/2025 14:58
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Young Kim (CA-40), and David Valadao (CA-22) to introduce the Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act, which would require private health insurance companies to fully cover the costs of childbirth and related maternity care. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Josh Hawley (R-MO).
The Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Actwould amend the list of Essential Health Benefits under the Affordable Care Act to include detailed minimum services for prenatal, labor and delivery, perinatal, and postpartum care for up to one year after a child's birth and would require private insurers to cover those services without cost-sharing.
"When my daughter was born by emergency C-section nine weeks early, I wanted to focus all my attention on my recovery and her well-being for the six weeks she was in the NICU, not our medical bills," Congresswoman McClellan said. "The Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act will provide more pregnant and postpartum patients the peace of mind that they can access care without worrying about how to pay for it."
"Pregnancy and childbirth are a normal part of family life, so insurance companies should treat it like the routine care it is and cover the cost," Congressman Golden said. "It shouldn't cost thousands of dollars to give birth at the hospital, and other necessary maternity services shouldn't be a luxury. This is simple, commonsense reform and will make it easier for Mainers to start and grow families on their own terms without a huge hospital bill."
"Americans shouldn't have to choose between starting a family and being strapped in debt. Unfortunately, rising living costs on top of excessive hospital and health care fees after giving birth deter individuals from becoming parents," Congresswoman Kim said. "We should do what we can to make life more affordable, which is why I'm proud to help lead the charge to cut childbirth cost-sharing fees and ensure women, babies and families receive the care they deserve without astronomical costs."
"The cost of maternal care is already expensive, and too often, families with private insurance are hit with surprise medical bills they didn't see coming," Congressman Valadao said. "Building a family already comes with so much uncertainty, but designating maternal care as an Essential Health Benefit and eliminating cost-sharing will give parents some peace of mind during one of life's most important moments. I'm proud to join my colleagues in supporting this practical, bipartisan solution that puts families first."
The bill has been endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; the American Medical Association; the American Hospital Association; the American Society for Reproductive Medicine; the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs; March of Dimes; and the National Partnership for Women & Families.
Full text of the Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Actcan be found here, and a one-pager can be found here.