Bill · S. 5515· Senate(119-S-5515)
CARE for Moms Act
- Introduced
- 9/24/2026
- Last activity
- 9/24/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4998-5003)
- Sponsored by
- Richard Durbin
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill, known as the CARE for Moms Act, aims to improve federal efforts to prevent maternal mortality and address disparities in maternal health. It establishes grant programs to support state perinatal quality collaboratives and regional centers of excellence focused on implicit bias and cultural competency. The legislation expands Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage to include oral health services and guarantees 12-month continuous postpartum coverage. It also creates a pilot program for rural obstetric mobile health units, requires advance notification for hospital obstetric unit closures, and increases excise taxes on various tobacco products.
Yes· 3 of 35
Would women be better off under this?+9
The legislation comprehensively addresses maternal mortality, expands postpartum health and dental coverage, and increases nutritional support.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+8
The bill directly targets stark racial disparities in maternal mortality and funds implicit bias training for healthcare providers.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Rural residents benefit directly from grants for mobile obstetric health units, enhanced FMAP for rural hospitals, and improved local care access.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Tobacco product manufacturers and sellers face significantly higher excise taxes and increased regulatory costs.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The legislation authorizes substantial new federal appropriations and grants for maternal healthcare programs and mobile units.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 3(a) creates the State-Based Perinatal Quality Collaborative Grant Program to fund networks that work to measurably improve perinatal care and health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. This is a positive step because it provides resources to optimize clinical practices and care coordination.
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Section 3(b)(1) amends Medicaid and CHIP to require coverage of oral health services for pregnant and postpartum women for up to one year after pregnancy. This is beneficial because reducing oral bacteria and treating dental conditions during pregnancy helps prevent poor birth outcomes like pre-term birth and low birth weight.
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Section 3(b)(2) mandates 12-month continuous coverage of full benefits for pregnant and postpartum individuals under Medicaid and CHIP. This is positive because it ensures that healthcare coverage does not lapse at 60 days postpartum, protecting access to care during the critical period when over half of maternal deaths occur.
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Section 3(d) allows states to certify a postpartum woman for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for a period of up to 2 years. This is beneficial for families as it extends access to vital nutritional support during the postpartum period.
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Section 5 establishes a 5-year pilot program for rural obstetric mobile health units to provide pre-conception, pregnancy, postpartum, and emergency services in rural and underserved communities. This helps address access barriers by bringing necessary care directly to populations in need.
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Section 6 requires hospitals to submit a 90-day advance notification to the Secretary before closing any obstetric unit, along with an impact report and steps to address service gaps. This is positive for communities because it prevents sudden closures and gives people time to find alternative care providers.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 8 significantly increases excise taxes on a wide range of tobacco products, including cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, small and large cigars, and other tobacco products determined by the Food and Drug Administration. While intended to discourage tobacco use, this provision places a direct financial burden on individuals who purchase these products.
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+9Good For African Americans+8Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Native Americans+7Good For Young Adults+7Good For Children+6Good For Hispanic Americans+6Good For Asian Americans+5Good For Immigrants+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For White Americans+5Good For L G B T Q Community+4Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Business Owners-2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+8Increases Medicaid Funding+8Improves Mental Health Access+5Improves Opioid Crisis Response+4Increases Research Funding+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+7Improves Gender Equality+6Improves Poverty Reduction+5Improves L G B T Q Rights+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Improves Privacy Rights+5Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Corporate Taxes+3Improves Consumer Protection+2Increases Job Creation+2Reduces National Debt+2Improves Economic Growth+1Reduces Government Spending-2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+6
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+5
- 9/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4998-5003)
- Introduced in Senate