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HR 2598 117th Congress House

COVID–19 Safe Birthing Act

Official title: To amend title XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act and title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to expand access to maternal health care, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 21, 2021 Introduced by: Pressley, Ayanna Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
Health Cardiovascular and respiratory healthChild healthEmergency medical services and trauma careHealth care costs and insurance
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Health care coverage and accessHealth technology, devices, suppliesHospital careImmunology and vaccinationInfectious and parasitic diseasesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaMedicaidMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMedicarePoverty and welfare assistanceSex and reproductive healthTelephone and wireless communicationWomen's health
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 16, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Apr 15, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 15, 2021
Introduced in House
Apr 15, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Apr 15, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
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 Latest action April 16, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

COVID-19 Safe Birthing Act

This bill expands coverage of maternal health care under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and private health insurance.

The bill specifically provides for Medicare and Medicaid coverage of maternal health services that are furnished via telehealth. It also requires Medicaid, CHIP, and private health insurance to cover prenatal services and one year of postpartum care without cost-sharing.

The bill also requires short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans, association health plans, and health care sharing ministries to cover COVID-19 testing without cost-sharing. It also requires state Medicaid programs to provide coverage of COVID-19 testing for pregnant individuals who are uninsured.

Additionally, as a condition of Medicare participation, hospitals must permit pregnant individuals to be accompanied by someone of their choosing (in addition to a doula or other health care worker) during labor, delivery, and recovery, and may not implement any discriminatory policies that restrict hospital access or birthing options for pregnant individuals.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Democratic 5
D
DeSaulnier, Mark
California · May 14, 2021
Jackson Lee, Sheila
· Apr 21, 2021
Jones, Mondaire
· Apr 21, 2021
 D
Takano, Mark
California · Apr 21, 2021
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Apr 21, 2021
 D
Tlaib, Rashida
Michigan · Apr 21, 2021
 D
Williams, Nikema
Georgia · Apr 21, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2598: COVID–19 Safe Birthing Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2598/
MLA
"H.R. 2598: COVID–19 Safe Birthing Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2598/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2598, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2598/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2598: COVID–19 Safe Birthing Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2598/)
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