A Democratic bill with 20 Democratic cosponsors · See all 22 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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 "Keeping Obstetrics Local Act" aims to increase financial support for rural and safety net hospitals that provide maternity, labor, and delivery services. It requires states to conduct studies on the costs of these services and mandates adequate Medicaid payment rates for eligible hospitals. The bill expands coverage for pregnant individuals under Medicaid and CHIP, including a 12-month continuous full benefit period. It also introduces the option for states to establish maternity health homes to provide coordinated care. Additionally, the act invests in the maternal health care workforce and requires hospitals to provide public notifications regarding the closure of obstetric units.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +10
Would women be better off under this?
The bill is heavily focused on enhancing maternal, labor, and delivery services, including postpartum support and mental health.
- Scored +9
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill enhances access to maternity and obstetric services, particularly in rural and safety net areas, through increased funding and coverage continuity.
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill expands Medicaid/CHIP coverage and services specifically for pregnant individuals, which disproportionately benefits low-income families.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Financial Support for Hospitals: Eligible hospitals will receive payment rates for maternity, labor, and delivery services that are not less than a specific minimum rate, starting in fiscal year 2027 (Section 102).
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Increased Coverage Duration: Pregnant individuals will receive 12-month continuous, full benefit coverage under Medicaid and CHIP (Section 201).
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Coordinated Care Options: States have the option to provide "maternity health homes," which offer coordinated pregnancy and postpartum care services (Section 202).
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Improved Access to Mental Health Support: The bill provides increased financial support for depression and anxiety screening during the perinatal and postpartum periods (Section 204).
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Streamlined Provider Enrollment: Out-of-state providers of maternity, labor, and delivery services can undergo a streamlined enrollment process in neighboring states (Section 302).
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Workforce Support: The act provides for the deployment of Commissioned Corps personnel to assist in areas with urgent maternal health care needs resulting from hospital closures or loss of workers (Section 301).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Hospital Obligations for Payments: To receive "anchor payments," low volume obstetric hospitals must enter into contracts to continue providing labor and delivery services for a specific period and utilize funds specifically for those services (Section 104).
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Potential Financial Recovery: If a hospital breaches its contract regarding the provision of services or the use of funds, the state is authorized to recover the full amount of the payment (Section 104).
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 is heavily focused on enhancing maternal, labor, and delivery services, including postpartum support and mental health. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill expands Medicaid/CHIP coverage and services specifically for pregnant individuals, which disproportionately benefits low-income families. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets the preservation of obstetric services in rural areas through increased payments and workforce support. Would children be better off under this? — Improving maternal healthcare outcomes has significant positive long-term impacts on infant and child health.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill enhances access to maternity and obstetric services, particularly in rural and safety net areas, through increased funding and coverage continuity. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill significantly increases Medicaid and CHIP funding for maternity, labor, and delivery services through higher payment rates and expanded coverage. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill increases financial support for depression and anxiety screening during the perinatal and postpartum periods.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal financial participation and mandates state actions regarding maternity care. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires states to conduct and publish studies on the costs of obstetric services and mandates public notifications for unit closures.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides targeted financial and workforce support to preserve essential obstetric services in rural areas.
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/11/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/12/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 17 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts