A Democratic bill with 12 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The CARE for Moms Act is a bill designed to improve Federal efforts to prevent maternal mortality. It establishes a grant program to support State-Based Perinatal Quality Collaboratives to improve health outcomes. The bill expands Medicaid and CHIP coverage to include oral health services and 12-month postpartum coverage. It also provides funding for regional centers to address implicit bias and cultural competency in healthcare. Additionally, the act creates a pilot program for rural obstetric mobile health units and a program to grow the doula workforce. Finally, the bill increases excise taxes on various tobacco products.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +9
Would women be better off under this?
The bill provides comprehensive support for maternal health, including dental, continuous postpartum coverage, and doula services.
- Scored +8
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically addresses the higher maternal mortality rates faced by Black women through specialized training and support.
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?
The bill expands Medicaid coverage to include oral health services and extends continuous postpartum benefits.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?
The bill increases excise taxes on tobacco products which impacts manufacturers and distributors.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Perinatal Care: The establishment of a grant program for State-Based Perinatal Quality Collaboratives aims to improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants through evidence-informed clinical practices. (Section 3(a))
-
Expanded Oral Health Coverage: Medicaid and CHIP coverage will be expanded to include necessary dental services for pregnant and postpartum women to prevent disease and treat emergency conditions. (Section 3(b)(1))
-
Continuous Postpartum Coverage: The bill requires 12-month continuous coverage of full benefits for pregnant and postpartum individuals under Medicaid and CHIP. (Section 3(b)(2))
-
Increased Support for Doulas: A new program will provide grants to grow and diversify the doula workforce, including education, training, and scholarships for students in underserved communities. (Section 4)
-
Enhanced Rural Access: A pilot program will fund rural obstetric mobile health units to provide essential services like pre-conception, pregnancy, and postpartum care in underserved areas. (Section 5)
-
Improved Provider Training: The creation of Regional Centers of Excellence will help educate healthcare professionals on implicit bias, cultural competency, and respectful care practices. (Section 3(c))
-
Expanded Nutrition Support: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children will allow for the certification of postpartum women for up to 2 years. (Section 3(d))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Costs for Tobacco Products: The bill significantly increases excise taxes on various tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. (Section 8)
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would women be better off under this? — The bill provides comprehensive support for maternal health, including dental, continuous postpartum coverage, and doula services. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically addresses the higher maternal mortality rates faced by Black women through specialized training and support. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill expands essential healthcare and nutrition benefits through Medicaid and CHIP. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill funds mobile health units to increase access to obstetric services in rural communities. Would children be better off under this? — The bill aims to improve infant health outcomes through better perinatal care and expanded CHIP benefits. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides expanded healthcare and nutrition support for young pregnant people.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill expands Medicaid coverage to include oral health services and extends continuous postpartum benefits. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill funds mobile health units in rural areas and expands Medicaid/CHIP coverage for pregnant people. Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act? — The bill strengthens the Medicaid and CHIP programs which are core components of the broader healthcare safety net.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill targets the racial disparities in maternal mortality by funding regional centers of excellence and doubling down on support for Black women. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill expands nutrition and health coverage through Medicaid and CHIP for low-income pregnant and postpartum women.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides grants for rural obstetric mobile health units to improve medical infrastructure in underserved areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides scholarships for students pursuing training in the doula workforce.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — The bill increases excise taxes on tobacco products which impacts manufacturers and distributors.
- 10/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/10/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 2/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 11/25/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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
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.
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Doris MatsuiDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey