PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 15, 2021
COVID-19 Safe Birthing Act
This bill expands coverage of maternal health care under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and private health insurance.
The bill specifically provides for Medicare and Medicaid coverage of maternal health services that are furnished via telehealth. It also requires Medicaid, CHIP, and private health insurance to cover prenatal services and one year of postpartum care without cost-sharing.
The bill also requires short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans, association health plans, and health care sharing ministries to cover COVID-19 testing without cost-sharing. It also requires state Medicaid programs to provide coverage of COVID-19 testing for pregnant individuals who are uninsured.
Additionally, as a condition of Medicare participation, hospitals must permit pregnant individuals to be accompanied by someone of their choosing (in addition to a doula or other health care worker) during labor, delivery, and recovery, and may not implement any discriminatory policies that restrict hospital access or birthing options for pregnant individuals.
People & committees
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] · D–MA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, 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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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