Bill · H.R. 8716· House(119-HR-8716)
Blood Pressure MATTERS Act
- Introduced
- 5/7/2026
- Last activity
- 5/7/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Nikema Williams
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Blood Pressure MATTERS Act," requires various health insurance plans to cover self-measured blood pressure monitoring for pregnant and postpartum individuals. It mandates coverage under Medicaid, CHIP, and private health insurance plans. The coverage includes a specified blood pressure management device that an individual can use on their own. This coverage must be provided regardless of whether the individual has been diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder. The bill also prohibits cost-sharing requirements for these devices.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+5
The bill improves access to essential blood pressure monitoring tools for pregnant and postpartum individuals by mandating coverage across various insurance types.
Would women be better off under this?+5
The bill directly benefits women by ensuring access to blood pressure monitoring during and after pregnancy.
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?+5
The bill addresses specific health needs associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period, promoting health equity for women.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Mandated Coverage for Monitoring: Individuals who are pregnant or in the postpartum period (up to 12 months after pregnancy) will have access to a specified blood pressure management device (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
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Financial Relief via No Cost Sharing: The bill prohibits cost-sharing requirements for the blood pressure management device under Medicaid (Section 2(a)(3)(A)), private health insurance (Section 2(c)(1)(1)), and group health plans (Section 2(c)(2)(A)(1)).
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Accessibility Without Diagnosis: Coverage is required regardless of whether the individual is currently diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder (Section 2(a)(1)(A) and Section 2(c)(1)(2)).
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Standardized Device Quality: The bill ensures the device used is one that can be used without a health care provider, is cleared for market under section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and is listed on the American Medical Association's Validated Device Listing (Section 2(a)(1)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limits on Device Frequency: Coverage is restricted to no more than one specified blood pressure management device during a 2-year period (Section 2(a)(1)(B), Section 2(c)(1)(b), and Section 2(c)(2)(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+5Increases Affordable Care Act Support+2Increases Medicaid Funding+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+5Good For Low Income Households+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+5
- 7/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/7/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida