HB 725, the "MOMnibus 3.0," establishes a state grant program to address preventable maternal health disparities affecting Black birthing people in North Carolina. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants ($10,000-$50,000 per recipient) to community-based organizations focused on improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. Key provisions require grantees to address social barriers (like housing, transportation, and nutrition), provide culturally respectful care training for health workers, and offer services including mental health support, doula care, and evidence-based education. The program specifically prioritizes Black-led organizations serving communities with high maternal health disparities, aiming to reduce preventable deaths and complications through targeted community support.
SB 571 (MOMnibus 3.0) establishes a North Carolina grant program to address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, specifically targeting Black women. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants (between $10,000 and $50,000) to community-based organizations serving Black women in areas with high maternal health disparities. Grants prioritize organizations led by Black women that provide evidence-based services, including culturally respectful care, mental health support, assistance with social determinants like housing and transportation, and doula support. The program mandates technical assistance for grantees and annual reports to the legislature on funding and outcomes. This bill directly affects Black women in North Carolina and community health organizations providing maternal care services.
SB 661 directs North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to study health issues affecting military women, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum. The study will examine coordinating maternity care between military and civilian facilities, improving access to housing and job resources, addressing mental health risks, expanding childbirth support services, and reducing racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. DHHS must consult with military veterans affairs and gather input from currently or formerly serving military mothers. The bill appropriates $100,000 for this study and requires a final report to legislative committees by April 2026. This bill does not enact new programs but mandates a review to inform future policy.
HB 474, titled "Right to Use Contraception," declares that North Carolina recognizes the right to use contraception to prevent pregnancy as a fundamental liberty. It directly affects all residents who use contraception by stating the state has "no legitimate governmental interest in limiting the freedom to use contraception." The bill amends state law to add a new Article 44, explicitly prohibiting state restrictions on contraceptive access for pregnancy prevention. This is a declarative policy change, not a funding or program measure, and would become effective upon enactment.
HB 473 protects patients' and healthcare providers' rights to access and provide assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), by prohibiting state interference. It defines ART broadly and explicitly states that fertilized eggs or embryos outside the uterus are not considered "human beings" under North Carolina law. The bill also appropriates $500,000 annually (starting July 2025) from the state General Fund to increase Medicaid maternal support services (the Baby Love Program), matching $913,000 in federal funds for the 2025-2027 biennium. This legislation directly affects patients seeking ART, healthcare providers offering these services, and Medicaid beneficiaries receiving maternal support.
SB 463 requires North Carolina Medicaid to cover doula services during pregnancy and the postpartum period, directly affecting Medicaid-enrolled pregnant and postpartum individuals and doulas seeking to provide these services under Medicaid. The bill mandates the state health department to develop coverage rules, including reimbursement rates and provider requirements focused on doula training in areas like childbirth education, lactation support, and cultural awareness. It appropriates $1 million annually from the state general fund (matching $1.8 million in federal funds) for Medicaid coverage changes and $550,000 annually for doula workforce support services. The coverage must be implemented upon federal CMS approval, with a report to lawmakers by March 1, 2026.
SB 413, titled "Right to Use Contraception," declares that North Carolina has no legitimate interest in limiting access to contraception for pregnancy prevention. It directly affects all residents by affirming their right to use contraception without state interference, adding a new legislative declaration to the state statutes. The bill’s key mechanism is a policy statement in Chapter 90 of North Carolina’s General Statutes, explicitly stating that preventing pregnancy through contraception is protected. It does not change existing laws or create new regulations but formally codifies this policy position. The measure is currently in early committee review after its initial filing and first reading.
SB 467, the "Right to Reproductive Freedom Act," codifies protections from the Supreme Court's *Roe v. Wade* and *Planned Parenthood v. Casey* rulings into North Carolina law. It prohibits the state from imposing "undue burdens" on abortion access before fetal viability (approximately 24 weeks), allowing restrictions only to preserve life or health after viability. The bill updates consent rules to let minors consent to abortion care without parental notification (under specific medical circumstances), clarifies healthcare provider immunity, and requires health insurance plans to cover abortion-related complications even if they don’t cover the procedure itself. This directly affects all patients seeking abortion services in North Carolina, particularly those facing prior barriers like young people, low-income individuals, and rural residents.
SB 522, the "Thrive at Midlife Act," requires all health insurance plans in North Carolina to cover specific healthcare services for women aged 40-65, including menopause care, bone density screenings, heart disease prevention, diabetes management, cancer screenings, mental health support, and telehealth. It also expands Medicaid coverage for these services and allocates $10 million annually (2025-2027) to fund grants for community health centers serving uninsured midlife women, prioritizing rural and underserved areas. The bill creates tax credits for individuals and businesses covering qualified midlife healthcare expenses like prescription medications, screenings, and mental health services. These provisions aim to improve access to preventive and specialized care for midlife women while requiring insurers to limit copays and deductibles for covered services to federal preventive care standards.
SB 536, the Birth Freedom Act, requires all health insurance plans in North Carolina to cover maternity care at home or birthing centers on the same terms as hospital births. It mandates that Medicaid beneficiaries also receive full coverage for these options starting July 2025, with providers reimbursed at 90% of standard hospital rates for similar care. The bill allocates $150,000 to expand access to birthing center care under the State Health Plan for public employees, including potential subsidies for beneficiaries. These changes directly affect health insurers, Medicaid, birthing centers, and individuals seeking non-hospital maternity options.
