Elise Stefanik

04/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/08/2025 10:18

Stefanik, Mace Lead Bill to Support Maternal Healthcare Access for Military Moms and Families

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) reintroduced the Military Moms Act to support maternal healthcare quality and access for mothers serving in the military and dependents of service members. This legislation allows pregnancy to be classified as a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) to allow service members or their spouses to change their TRICARE plans.

"As a mom and the Representative of Fort Drum, I am proud to reintroduce the Military Moms Act to support and expand access to healthcare for our pregnant service members or their spouses as their families grow. Our military families serve our nation selflessly and it is our duty to take care of them, their children, and their families so that they can focus on safeguarding our nation," said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

"Our service members and their families make extraordinary sacrifices to protect our nation, and their healthcare needs don't pause when they choose to start or grow their families," said Congresswoman Nancy Mace. "Right now, pregnancy isn't even considered a qualifying life event under TRICARE-it's absurd. The Military Moms Act puts military families first by giving expectant service members and spouses the power to choose the healthcare plan best suited to their needs before, during, and after pregnancy. This pro-family, pro-women legislation delivers a common-sense solution to a problem long overdue for fixing."

Specifically, the Military Moms Act would:

  • Direct DoD to classify pregnancy and loss of pregnancy as qualifying life events (QLEs) under TRICARE to allow mothers to change their TRICARE plan, selecting the one that serves their maternal care best.
  • Provide Congress with a comprehensive study on access to maternal healthcare within the Military Health System (MHS). This provision mirrors the Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act.
  • Publish a dedicated webpage of maternal and infant health resources as well as information for new mothers and families on the DoD-run Military One Source website.

Read the full bill here.