Bill > HB1493

This bill, known as the Mississippi Maternal Health Momnibus Act, aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by establishing various programs and expanding services. Key provisions include the creation of a Maternal Care Access Grant Program to fund community-based organizations focused on preventing maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, particularly among Black women, and a requirement for healthcare professionals involved in perinatal care to undergo implicit bias training to address disparities. The bill also expands Medicaid coverage for certain maternal health services, such as depression and blood pressure screenings, remote ultrasound procedures, doula services, and nutrition counseling, and mandates that private health insurance policies cover these services. Additionally, it establishes pilot programs for virtual prenatal and postpartum care in underserved areas, supports lactation consultant training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and creates a Perinatal Education Grant Program for rural and low-wealth areas. The bill also includes provisions for collecting data on severe maternal morbidity, requires perinatal facilities to implement implicit bias programs, and mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations for employees experiencing pregnancy-related needs. Finally, it exempts certain essential baby care items from sales tax and amends existing law to ensure comprehensive Medicaid coverage for various maternal health services.

Health and Social Services

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1493.xml