Bill · H.R. 9712· House(119-HR-9712)
Mamas First Act
- Introduced
- 7/15/2026
- Last activity
- 7/15/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Gwen Moore
- Cosponsors
- - 10 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Mamas First Act" amends the Social Security Act to require Medicaid to cover services provided by doulas, midwives, tribal midwives, and lactation support providers. This coverage includes prenatal, labor, and postpartum care delivered in various settings, including homes and via telehealth. The bill defines the qualifications for these providers and prohibits cost-sharing for these specific services. Most of these changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Yes· 3 of 26
Would women be better off under this?+10
Directly improves maternal health access, outcomes, and financial affordability for women.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+9
Directly benefits low-income individuals through expanded Medicaid coverage and zero cost-sharing.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+9
Specifically addresses the disproportionately high maternal mortality rate for Black women.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-4
Limits state flexibility in determining which services are covered under Medicaid.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
Mandating additional Medicaid coverage typically increases government spending.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill expands mandatory Medicaid coverage for specific maternal health services.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expanded Healthcare Access: People can receive prenatal, labor, and postpartum care from doulas, midwives, tribal midwives, and lactation support providers through Medicaid (Section 3(a)(1)).
-
Increased Flexibility in Care: Services can be provided in multiple settings, such as the home, community, hospitals, birth centers, clinics, health units, or via telehealth (Section 3(a)(1)).
-
Removal of Financial Barriers: The bill prohibits cost-sharing for services provided by these specific professionals, making the care more affordable for patients (Section 3(c)).
-
Culturally Specific Care: The bill specifies that care should be provided in a "culturally congruent manner" (Section 3(a)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Delayed Implementation: Some people may have to wait beyond January 1, 2027, to access these benefits if their State plan requires State legislation to comply with the new requirements (Section 3(d)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+10Good For African Americans+9Good For Low Income Households+9Good For Native Americans+9Good For Hispanic Americans+7Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Asian Americans+5Good For Children+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For White Americans+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Immigrants+3Good For L G B T Q Community+3Good For Business Owners+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+8Increases Medicaid Funding+7Improves Mental Health Access+2Reduces Hospital Costs+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+8Improves Gender Equality+5Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+1
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-2Improves Fiscal Responsibility-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Increase States Rights-4
- 8/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Al GreenDemocrat · Texas
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Robin KellyDemocrat · Illinois
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Lauren UnderwoodDemocrat · Illinois