CARE for Moms Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6303

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-25: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.

Last Updated

2026-06-25T08:08:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The CARE for Moms Act (H.R. 6303) aims to reduce maternal mortality and improve maternal health outcomes in the United States by enhancing federal programs, expanding access to care, addressing disparities, and promoting preventive measures. It recognizes the high and rising rates of maternal deaths—particularly among Black, Indigenous, and older women—and emphasizes that over 80% of these deaths are preventable through better data, training, coverage, and community support.

Key Provisions

The bill includes multiple targeted initiatives across health programs, funding, and policy changes:

• State-Based Perinatal Quality Collaboratives: Establishes a grant program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fund multidisciplinary networks in every state, district, and territory. These collaboratives focus on improving maternal and infant health outcomes via evidence-based practices, collaborative learning, and data-driven quality improvements. Grants are up to $250,000 per year, with $35 million authorized annually from fiscal years 2026–2030.

• Expansion of Medicaid and CHIP Coverage:
• Requires coverage of oral health services (preventive, diagnostic, periodontal, and restorative care) for pregnant and postpartum women during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum.
• Mandates 12 months of continuous full benefits for pregnant and postpartum individuals under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), replacing optional 60-day extensions.
• Provides enhanced federal funding (100% for the first 20 quarters, then 90%) for postpartum coverage beyond 60 days (up to 365 days total) and for obstetric/gynecological services in rural hospitals.
• Issues guidance on optional Medicaid coverage for doula services (non-medical support during pregnancy and birth).
• Includes a 5-year "maintenance of effort" requirement to prevent states from restricting eligibility for pregnant/postpartum women.
• Requires public information on available benefits, including oral health, mental health, and breastfeeding support.

• Regional Centers of Excellence: Awards cooperative agreements to educational and health entities to train healthcare professionals on implicit bias (unconscious prejudices), cultural competency (understanding diverse cultural needs), and respectful care. Prioritizes geographic diversity and community engagement, with $5 million authorized annually from 2026–2030. Findings from evaluations will be shared publicly and with states.

• WIC Program Extension: Extends eligibility under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to postpartum women for up to 2 years (from 1 year), including breastfeeding support.

• Doula Workforce Development: Provides $50 million in 2026 funding for grants to schools, governments, tribes, and community organizations to train, certify, and diversify the doula workforce, with scholarships for those serving underserved areas. Focuses on full-spectrum doulas who support all birthing people, including nonbinary and transgender individuals.

• Rural Obstetric Mobile Health Units Pilot: Grants to states ($10 million annually, 2026–2030) for mobile units providing preconception, prenatal, postpartum, and emergency obstetric care in rural/underserved areas. Includes provider training, addressing social needs (e.g., nutrition, housing), and data privacy protections (no sharing with law enforcement). Requires state reports on outcomes, stratified by demographics like race, ethnicity, and insurance status.

• Hospital Obstetric Unit Closure Notifications: Requires hospitals to notify the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at least 90 days before closing an obstetric unit, including impact analysis, mitigation steps, and community effects.

• Report on Maternal Health Needs: Directs HHS to submit a report to Congress within 24 months analyzing federal funding distribution (2000–2024), barriers to access, and reasons for funding denials, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, insurance, and language.

• Tobacco Excise Tax Increases and Parity: Raises taxes on cigarettes (doubling to $100.66–$211.38 per thousand), roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, cigars, and other FDA-regulated tobacco products to match cigarette rates. Includes inflation adjustments, floor stocks taxes on existing inventory, and regulations for new products. Aims to reduce tobacco use, a risk factor for maternal complications.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Medicaid/CHIP: Converts optional postpartum extensions and oral health coverage into mandates, extends full benefits to 12 months (from 60 days in many states), and boosts federal matching funds (FMAP) for extended postpartum and rural services. Adds maintenance of effort rules to lock in current eligibility standards for 5 years.
• WIC: Doubles postpartum eligibility duration from 1 to 2 years.
• Public Health Service Act: Adds new sections for regional bias training centers and rural mobile health grants.
• Social Security Act: Imposes obstetric unit closure reporting requirements on Medicare-participating hospitals.
• Internal Revenue Code: Doubles cigarette taxes, equalizes rates across tobacco products (e.g., small cigars from $50.33 to $100.66 per thousand), defines new categories like "discrete single-use units" (e.g., nicotine pouches), and applies taxes to FDA-deemed tobacco products. Introduces inflation indexing and floor stocks taxes.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload and funding for HHS, CDC, and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in grant administration, data collection, training, and reporting. Boosts federal Medicaid/CHIP expenditures through enhanced matching rates but may reduce long-term costs via preventive care. Tobacco tax hikes could generate revenue (estimated billions annually) for general funds, potentially offsetting health program costs while deterring use.
• Citizens: Improves access to comprehensive maternal care, especially for low-income, rural, minority, and postpartum individuals, potentially lowering mortality rates (currently 32.9 deaths per 100,000 births) and disparities (e.g., Black women 3x more likely to die). Enhances support for doulas, oral health, nutrition, and bias-free care, reducing complications like preeclampsia and intimate partner violence. Higher tobacco taxes may decrease smoking-related risks during pregnancy but raise costs for consumers.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. maternal mortality data and outcomes could align with global goals like the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing the U.S. standing in international health comparisons where it currently lags high-income nations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals: Primary beneficiaries, especially racial/ethnic minorities (e.g., Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women), rural residents, low-income families, and LGBTQ+ birthing people, through expanded coverage and support.
• Healthcare Providers: Obstetricians, midwives, nurses, doulas, and dentists gain training, funding, and tools for better care; rural providers benefit from mobile units.
• States and Local Governments: Receive grants for collaboratives and mobile units but must comply with new Medicaid mandates, reporting, and eligibility rules.
• Community Organizations and Tribes: Eligible for doula and collaborative grants, focusing on underserved populations.
• Tobacco Industry and Consumers: Face higher taxes, potentially reducing product affordability and sales.
• Federal Agencies: HHS, CDC, HRSA, and Treasury implement programs and collect/enforce taxes.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens federal oversight of state maternal health data and Medicaid compliance, potentially leading to lawsuits if states challenge mandates as infringing on program flexibility. Tobacco tax changes clarify FDA authority over products, reducing regulatory gaps but inviting industry challenges under commerce clause precedents.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power to condition federal funds on state actions (e.g., Medicaid requirements), avoiding coercion issues from cases like NFIB v. Sebelius. Inclusive language for nonbinary birthing people supports equal protection but may spark debates on gender definitions.
• Political: Addresses a bipartisan public health crisis (rising mortality post-COVID) with equity focus, but tobacco taxes could divide along fiscal lines (revenue vs. sin tax opposition). Encourages state-federal partnerships, potentially influencing future health equity legislation amid disparities tied to racism and social determinants.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]

Cosponsors (11)

Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-25: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.
• 2025-11-25: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.
• 2025-11-25: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.
• 2025-11-25: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Community Access, Resources, and Empowerment for Moms Act — issued 2025-11-25 — PDF (54 pages)