Lawmakers introduce bill to consider childbirth, maternity costs as essential health benefits

The Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act would require private health insurance companies to fully cover the costs of childbirth and related maternity care.

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan of Virginia joined U.S. Reps. Jared Golden of Maine, Young Kim of California and David Valadao of California to introduce the legislation in early June. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Josh Hawley of Missouri.

The bill would amend the list of Essential Health Benefits under the Affordable Care Act to include detailed minimum services for prenatal, labor and delivery, perinatal and postpartum care for up to one year after a child’s birth and would require private insurers to cover the services without cost-sharing.

“When my daughter was born by emergency C-section nine weeks early, I wanted to focus all my attention on my recovery and her well-being for the six weeks she was in the NICU, not our medical bills. The Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act will provide more pregnant and postpartum patients the peace of mind that they can access care without worrying about how to pay for it,” McClellan said.

According to Golden, pregnancy and childbirth are normal parts of family life and insurance companies should treat them as routine care.

“It shouldn’t cost thousands of dollars to give birth at the hospital, and other necessary maternity services shouldn’t be a luxury. This is simple, commonsense reform and will make it easier for Mainers to start and grow families on their own terms without a huge hospital bill,” Golden said.

Kim said that Americans should not have to choose between starting a family are going into debt.

“Unfortunately, rising living costs on top of excessive hospital and health care fees after giving birth deter individuals from becoming parents. We should do what we can to make life more affordable, which is why I’m proud to help lead the charge to cut childbirth cost-sharing fees and ensure women, babies and families receive the care they deserve without astronomical costs,” Kim said.

Maternity care is already expensive, Valadao said, and families with private health insurance often face surprise medical bills.

“Building a family already comes with so much uncertainty, but designating maternal care as an Essential Health Benefit and eliminating cost-sharing will give parents some peace of mind during one of life’s most important moments. I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this practical, bipartisan solution that puts families first,” Valadao said.

The bill has been endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; the American Medical Association; the American Hospital Association; the American Society for Reproductive Medicine; the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs; March of Dimes; and the National Partnership for Women & Families.