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COVID–19 Safe Birthing Act

Introduced: April 15, 2021 Introduced by: Pressley, Ayanna Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
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 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
Introduced in House
Apr 15, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Apr 15, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
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.
 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.

What's happening now April 16, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
 Cosponsors 5
All 5 Democratic 5