Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7227
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-22: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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
- 2026-07-01T08:08:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Mental Health and Making Access More Affordable Act of 2026" (or "Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026"), aims to eliminate financial barriers to mental health services and substance use disorder (SUD) services for pregnant and postpartum individuals. It requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover these services without any out-of-pocket costs (known as "cost-sharing," which includes deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance) from the diagnosis of pregnancy through one year after the end of the pregnancy.
Key Provisions
- No Cost-Sharing Requirement: For plan years starting at least two years after enactment, group health plans and issuers offering group or individual health insurance that cover mental health or SUD services must provide these services at no cost to in-network providers (doctors or facilities within the plan's approved network) during the specified period. This includes telehealth services (virtual care delivered remotely).
- Coverage Period: Starts at pregnancy diagnosis (as defined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) and lasts through the one-year postpartum period. Partial coverage applies if someone enrolls mid-period.
- Definitions:
- Mental health services and SUD services align with existing federal definitions under parity laws (ensuring mental health coverage is as generous as physical health coverage).
- Applies to services furnished to participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees.
- Continuity of Care Amendments: Updates rules in existing laws to ensure uninterrupted access:
- Pregnant individuals undergoing pregnancy-related treatment must continue with the same provider.
- Postpartum individuals needing mental health or SUD services (if they received treatment during pregnancy) qualify as "continuing care patients" for up to one year after pregnancy ends.
- Application to Federal Programs: Extends requirements to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), affecting federal workers' health plans.
- Enforcement and Scope: Amendments are made to the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA, which governs employer-sponsored plans), and Internal Revenue Code (IRC, for tax-qualified plans). Oversight involves multiple congressional committees.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- New Zero Cost-Sharing Mandate: Introduces a specific exemption from cost-sharing for mental health and SUD services tied to pregnancy and postpartum periods, building on but expanding the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA, which requires equal treatment of mental health and physical health benefits).
- Enhanced Continuity Protections: Modifies existing continuity of care sections in PHSA, ERISA, and IRC to explicitly include postpartum mental health and SUD needs as qualifying conditions, extending protections beyond pregnancy treatment alone.
- Inclusion of Telehealth: Explicitly incorporates telehealth, reflecting post-pandemic expansions but applying it narrowly to this context.
- Delayed Implementation: Two-year grace period before requirements take effect, allowing plans time to adjust.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Reduces financial hurdles for pregnant and postpartum individuals seeking mental health or SUD support, potentially improving early intervention for conditions like postpartum depression or addiction, which could enhance maternal and child health outcomes and lower long-term healthcare costs.
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor (DOL), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will need to issue guidance, define terms (e.g., pregnancy diagnosis), and enforce compliance. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must update FEHBP contracts, affecting federal employees and retirees.
- On Health Insurers and Plans: May increase short-term costs for covering services without patient contributions, possibly leading to higher premiums or adjustments in plan designs. Insurers must ensure in-network providers are available for these services.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. health insurance regulations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals: Primary beneficiaries, gaining cost-free access to essential services.
- Health Insurance Issuers and Group Health Plans: Must comply with new coverage rules, including employer-sponsored, individual, and federal plans.
- Healthcare Providers: In-network mental health professionals, SUD treatment facilities, and telehealth providers benefit from guaranteed payment but may see increased demand.
- Employers: Responsible for ERISA plans, potentially facing administrative burdens or cost pass-throughs to employees.
- Federal Employees and Retirees: Covered under FEHBP, with expanded benefits.
- Government Regulators: HHS, DOL, IRS, and OPM handle implementation, enforcement, and clerical updates (e.g., tables of contents in laws).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens MHPAEA by adding targeted protections, potentially reducing disparities in mental health access for a vulnerable group. Could lead to litigation if plans challenge the scope of "in-network" requirements or definitions, but aligns with broader Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansions of preventive and maternal care.
- Constitutional Implications: None significant; the bill operates within Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and health insurance under the Commerce Clause. It does not raise free speech, privacy, or equal protection concerns.
- Political Implications: Addresses maternal mental health crises (e.g., high rates of postpartum mood disorders), potentially advancing public health equity. Introduced by a bipartisan group of representatives but referred to multiple committees, suggesting broad jurisdictional review; passage could influence future expansions of no-cost coverage for other populations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (25)
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-22: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-01-22: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-01-22: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-01-22: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-01-22: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Mental Health and Making Access More Affordable Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-22 — PDF (10 pages)