S.1598 - Better Availability of Birth Centers Improves Outcomes and Expands Savings Act; BABIES Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1598, the BABIES Act, aims to address maternity care shortages and improve outcomes by expanding access to birth centers. It proposes grants to birth centers for start-up or expansion costs in underserved areas. The bill also establishes a Medicaid demonstration program to explore effective payment models for birth center care.
Expected Effects
The bill would likely increase the number of birth centers, particularly in underserved areas, and improve access to maternity care. It would also lead to the development of new payment models for birth center services under Medicaid. This could potentially lower healthcare costs and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to birth centers, especially in underserved areas.
- Improved maternity care outcomes through specialized services.
- Potential cost savings through more efficient payment models under Medicaid.
- Support for birth center accreditation and state licensure activities.
- Enhanced data collection and quality improvement programs in birth centers.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased federal spending through grants and demonstration programs.
- Risk of unintended consequences from new payment models.
- Possible challenges in ensuring consistent quality of care across all birth centers.
- Limited scope, focusing primarily on low-risk pregnancies.
- Administrative burden associated with grant applications and program implementation.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It also falls under Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) through the establishment of healthcare programs and standards. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and this bill respects that by allowing states to implement and oversee the Medicaid demonstration programs.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).