S.1834 - Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The "Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act" (S.1834) aims to eliminate cost-sharing for prenatal, childbirth, neonatal, perinatal, and postpartum health care services. It amends Section 1302(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to include comprehensive maternity and newborn care as essential health benefits. The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act, ERISA, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit cost-sharing for these services.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would ensure that all health insurance plans, including those offered through the ACA marketplaces, employer-sponsored plans, and individual plans, provide full coverage for maternity and newborn care without any cost-sharing. This would reduce the financial burden on families during pregnancy and the postpartum period, potentially improving access to necessary care and health outcomes.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Access to Care: Eliminating cost-sharing will likely increase access to prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care, especially for low-income individuals and families.
- Reduced Financial Burden: Removing cost-sharing requirements can significantly reduce the financial strain on families during pregnancy and after childbirth.
- Better Health Outcomes: Increased access to care and reduced financial stress may lead to improved maternal and infant health outcomes.
- Support for New Parents: The bill includes behavioral health services for legal parents who do not physically give birth, addressing a gap in current care.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The bill mandates coverage for a wide range of services, including ultrasounds, miscarriage care, delivery services, and postpartum care.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Premiums: Eliminating cost-sharing could lead to higher health insurance premiums for all individuals, as the cost of these services is spread across the entire risk pool.
- Potential for Overutilization: With no cost-sharing, there might be a risk of overutilization of certain services, driving up overall healthcare costs.
- Administrative Complexity: Implementing these changes could create administrative challenges for insurers and healthcare providers.
- Uncertainty in Long-Term Costs: The long-term financial impact of this bill on the healthcare system is uncertain and could be substantial.
- Possible Impact on Employer-Sponsored Plans: Employers offering health plans may face increased costs, potentially affecting their ability to offer other benefits or raise wages.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve public health by ensuring access to maternity and newborn care. The Constitution grants Congress the power to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1).
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).