Bill · S. 4986· Senate(119-S-4986)
Mamas First Act
- Introduced
- 7/15/2026
- Last activity
- 7/15/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Elizabeth Warren
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Mamas First Act" is a bill that would change the Social Security Act to make Medicaid cover services from doulas, midwives, tribal midwives, and lactation support providers. It covers care during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period, including services provided via telehealth or in various settings like homes and hospitals. The bill requires states to provide this coverage and prohibits cost-sharing for these specific services. It also defines the qualifications for these providers to be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.
Yes· 3 of 25
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+10
Provides free (no cost-sharing) access to essential maternal support services via Medicaid.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+10
Specifically includes tribal midwives and targets Indigenous maternal health disparities.
Would women be better off under this?+10
Directly improves health outcomes, support, and financial accessibility of maternal care.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-4
Reduces state discretion by requiring mandatory coverage of these specific services.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
Expanding Medicaid coverage for new services likely increases federal government spending.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill mandates additional coverage under the Medicaid program, increasing expenditures.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expanded Access to Care: Medicaid would cover prenatal, labor, and postpartum care provided by doulas, midwives, tribal midwives, and lactation support providers (Section 3(a)(1)).
-
Removal of Financial Barriers: The bill prohibits cost-sharing for services and care provided by these specific professionals (Section 3(c)).
-
Flexible Care Locations: Services can be provided in the home, community, hospital, birth center, clinic, health unit, or via telehealth (Section 3(a)(1)).
-
Support for Diverse Needs: The bill specifically includes "tribal midwives" and requires care to be provided in a "culturally congruent manner" (Section 3(a)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Strict Certification Requirements: Doulas must be certified by an organization requiring continuing education and must provide specific recommendations from former clients or health care providers to qualify (Section 3(a)(2)(ll)(1)).
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Delayed Implementation: The benefits may not be available until January 1, 2027, and could be delayed even further if a state needs to pass its own legislation first (Section 3(d)).
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 Low Income Households+10Good For Native Americans+10Good For Women+10Good For African Americans+9Good For Hispanic Americans+7Good For Rural Residents+7Good For Children+6Good For Asian Americans+5Good For Immigrants+5Good For L G B T Q Community+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For White Americans+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Business Owners+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+9Increases Medicaid Funding+8Improves Mental Health Access+3Reduces Hospital Costs+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+8Improves Gender Equality+5Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- 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
- 8/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2026
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 7/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont