The BABIES Act would create grants to help eligible birth centers start, expand, renovate, or equip their facilities, and pay for accreditation and state licensing. It would also set up a Medicaid demonstration program in up to six states to test new payment methods for care at freestanding birth centers. Participating centers would have to meet standards for accreditation, staffing, safety, and coordination with hospitals and other providers.
If you are eligible for Medicaid and have a low-risk pregnancy, a participating state could include birth center care in the demonstration program. The program would run for four years in each selected state. The bill does not guarantee that a center will be available near you or that your state will take part.
The bill authorizes $5 million for birth center grants for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. It also appropriates $3 million for planning grants in fiscal year 2027 and $6 million for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2031 for the demonstration program. The bill allows grants to up to 15 birth centers per year, ranging from $300,000 to $500,000 each.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.