Bill > S1834

This bill aims to improve healthcare coverage for mothers and newborns by amending the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to expand and eliminate cost-sharing for maternity and newborn care. Specifically, the bill requires health insurance plans to provide comprehensive coverage for prenatal, childbirth, neonatal, perinatal, and postpartum care without any out-of-pocket costs for patients. The coverage must include ultrasounds, services for pregnancy loss, delivery services (such as anesthesiology and specialist consultations), postpartum health services, and behavioral health services for both birthing and non-birthing parents for up to one year after a child's birth. The bill defines "postpartum" as the one-year period immediately following the end of pregnancy and applies to group health plans, individual health insurance coverage, and plans regulated under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) and the Internal Revenue Code. The changes will apply to plan years beginning on or after the date of enactment, effectively ensuring that parents receive essential medical care without financial barriers during a critical period of family health.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1834/all-info