Moulton Joins as Original Cosponsor of Healthy MOM Act to Expand Health Coverage for Pregnant Mothers and Newborns

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) joined as an original cosponsor of the Healthy MOM Act, legislation that strengthens access to affordable, high-quality health coverage for pregnant mothers and newborns.

The bill ensures that anyone who becomes pregnant can get the care they need, when they need it, by expanding access to coverage and protecting essential maternity and postpartum services.

"Bringing a child into the world should never jeopardize a person's health or their financial security,"said Congressman Moulton. "The Healthy MOM Act makes sure that pregnant mothers can enroll in coverage when they need it, keeps new mothers insured throughout the critical first year after birth, and protects maternity care for families across the country. This is the kind of common-sense legislation we should all be able to get behind."

The Healthy MOM Actwould address gaps in care and coverage by:

• Creating a special enrollment period (SEP) in the ACA marketplaces and commercial insurance plans for pregnant individuals once pregnancy is reported, allowing them to enroll in or change plans without waiting for the annual open enrollment period.
• Authorizing the Office of Personnel Management to establish a pregnancy SEP for those covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, including ensuring access to the SEP even during a government shutdown or lapse in appropriations.
• Ensuring comprehensive maternity coverage, including labor and delivery, for dependents covered by group health plans and employer-sponsored insurance.
• Protecting Medicaid eligibility for low-income pregnant individuals, safeguarding access to care while preventing efforts to weaken income eligibility requirements.
• Guaranteeing 12 months of continuous Medicaid coverage postpartum, ensuring that new mothers have uninterrupted access to critical care after giving birth.

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