Summary#
The CARE for Moms Act would create and change federal programs to try to reduce deaths and serious health problems linked to pregnancy and childbirth. It would fund state perinatal quality collaboratives, set up regional centers to teach implicit bias and respectful care, expand Medicaid and CHIP benefits for pregnant and postpartum people, support training and growth of the doula workforce, start a pilot for rural obstetric mobile health units, require hospitals to notify HHS before closing obstetric units, extend some WIC postpartum certifications, require a report to Congress on maternal health needs from 2000–2024, and raise federal excise taxes and tax parity across many tobacco products.
What it means for you#
- Pregnant and postpartum people could have longer Medicaid and CHIP coverage after birth and new coverage for oral health during pregnancy and for a defined postpartum period.
- More grants and programs could support local teams that improve maternity care and share best practices in each State.
- There could be more training for health workers on implicit bias and respectful care and more doulas available if States and programs use the grant guidance.
- Rural and underserved communities could see mobile units offering pre-conception, prenatal, postpartum, and emergency obstetric services through a pilot program.
- Hospitals would need to notify the federal government about planned obstetric unit closures at least 90 days in advance.
Expenses#
The bill specifies several funding authorizations and federal payment changes in the law text but does not include a scored budget estimate in the bill text itself.
Known authorizations and money items in the bill text:
- State-based Perinatal Quality Collaborative grants: up to $250,000 per grant per year; $35,000,000 authorized per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
- Regional Centers of Excellence for implicit bias and cultural competency: $5,000,000 authorized for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
- Full Spectrum Doula Workforce grants/contracts: $50,000,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2026, to remain available until expended.
- Grants for Rural Obstetric Mobile Health Units pilot: $10,000,000 authorized per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
- The bill raises the federal share (FMAP) for extended postpartum medical assistance for certain periods (100 percent for an initial period of quarters and then 90 percent thereafter, as specified) and establishes a 90 percent FMAP for obstetric and gynecological services at rural hospitals. Exact FMAP timing and formulas are in the bill text.
- The bill increases federal excise tax rates and parity rules for many tobacco products and creates an inflation adjustment and ‘‘floor stocks’’ tax rules. Effective dates for tax changes vary by product in the bill text.
No publicly available information on a total estimated federal cost, net savings from tobacco tax changes, or CBO scoring is included in the bill text provided.
Proponents' View#
The bill text lists findings that supporters use to justify the measures. Those findings note that many maternal deaths and severe complications are preventable, that the United States has a rising maternal mortality rate, and that there are large racial disparities (especially higher risk for non-Hispanic Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women). The text cites evidence that doula care can reduce birth complications and that better data, standardized reviews, and perinatal quality collaboratives have helped some States improve care. The bill’s supporters argue the proposals would expand access to care, standardize data collection, address provider bias and training, support the workforce, and improve rural access.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.