HRES 231 (introduced March 18, 2025) is a symbolic resolution designating March 14, 2025, as "Black Midwives Day" to honor Black midwives' historical and ongoing role in improving maternal and infant health. It recognizes how Black midwives provide culturally competent care that addresses racial disparities in maternal outcomes, particularly in communities facing maternity care deserts. The resolution does not create new laws but calls for federal, state, and local governments to support initiatives expanding access to Black midwives and removing barriers to their practice. It highlights that Black birthing people face significantly higher maternal mortality rates (50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023) compared to other groups, often due to systemic inequities. The resolution emphasizes the need for policies promoting midwifery care as part of equitable maternal health solutions.
This bill establishes a digital system for TRICARE members to electronically file and track complaints about access to care at military medical facilities. It requires the Defense Department to create a system where beneficiaries can submit complaints online, view their status in real time, and have complaints automatically aggregated quarterly for review. The system mandates annual reports to Congress comparing complaint types (e.g., specialty vs. primary care, pediatric vs. non-pediatric, administrative hurdles) and detailing facility-level actions taken to address issues. The goal is to improve transparency and accountability in military healthcare access.
This bill gives states the option to create coordinated care teams (called "maternity health homes") for pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid. It requires states to develop individualized care plans covering medical, behavioral, and social services, with increased federal funding (15% higher for the first four years) to support this model. Eligible women include those who are pregnant or within one year of pregnancy (excluding those with limited pregnancy-only coverage), and participation is voluntary for both women and providers. States must track care quality, costs, and outcomes through data reporting but are not required to adopt the program.
This bill creates federal grants for local health departments and tribal organizations in the 50 U.S. counties with the highest infant mortality rates. It funds 5-year pilot programs focused on reducing infant deaths by addressing causes like preterm birth, maternal complications, and sudden infant death through targeted outreach, postpartum care, and services such as smoking cessation and nutrition support. Grantees must develop community-specific plans, establish rural outreach, and conduct public education campaigns on preventing preterm births. The program requires annual reports on outcomes and allocates $10 million annually from 2025 through 2029 for these initiatives.
S 3712, the "BO's Act," requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to study home cardiorespiratory monitors used for infants, particularly high-risk babies, to assess their effectiveness in preventing sudden unexpected infant death. The bill mandates a report to Congress within one year of enactment, detailing monitor accuracy, new home sleep care models, insurance coverage criteria, and recommendations on whether these devices should be covered by public or private health plans. This legislation directly affects infants (especially high-risk cases), healthcare providers, and insurance companies by initiating a federal review of current practices. The bill does not create new laws or funding but establishes a data-gathering process to inform future policy decisions about infant monitoring devices.
This bill requires most health insurance plans, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and CHIP to cover vaccines recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles). It applies to vaccines recommended as of October 25, 2024, including updates through 2029, and covers all such vaccines for the period starting when the bill is enacted until December 31, 2029. The requirement excludes vaccines given within minimum recommended intervals. It directly affects patients, insurers, and government health programs by ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for covered vaccines during this timeframe.
The Infant Formula Made in America Act of 2025 creates two tax credits to incentivize domestic infant formula production. It offers a 30% investment credit for manufacturers who build or expand facilities to make U.S.-made infant formula (with a total credit cap of $750 million), plus a $2 per pound production credit for formula sold in the U.S. (capped at 18 million pounds annually). The credits are limited to manufacturers with global revenue under $750 million and require at least 50% of formula produced with the investment credit to be sold within the U.S. within one year. The bill includes recapture provisions if manufacturers fail to meet these requirements, and applies to facilities starting construction after the bill's enactment.
HR 4209, the "No Medicaid for Illegals Act," would prohibit federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for individuals without verified U.S. citizenship, nationality, or immigration status. It removes the current requirement for states to provide medical coverage while individuals verify their status, meaning states are no longer obligated to cover such individuals during verification periods. States may choose to continue coverage during these periods by electing an optional provision. The bill affects all states administering Medicaid and CHIP programs and would take effect upon enactment.
HR 4074, the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2025, requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to issue guidance within one year on improving Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pelvic health services during pregnancy and the postpartum period (defined as up to 6 months after birth or during lactation). The bill directs the GAO to study coverage gaps for these services and mandates a new CDC-led education campaign to train healthcare providers and inform postpartum women about pelvic floor exams and physical therapy. Key provisions include standardizing terminology for pelvic health conditions, sharing state best practices for payment models, and authorizing $2 million annually for the education program through 2030. This bill directly affects postpartum women covered by Medicaid or CHIP by aiming to increase access to evidence-based pelvic health care.
This bill changes how state agencies purchase infant formula for the WIC program. It requires selecting two manufacturers through competitive bidding (instead of one) and designates one as primary and one as secondary for each state's contract. This aims to improve supply chain reliability and access for WIC participants - low-income pregnant women, infants, and children. The policy directly affects all states administering WIC formula contracts under the Child Nutrition Act.
