Medicaid must pay for doulas and midwives starting 2027

What it does

The bill requires state Medicaid to pay for doulas and midwives. It also covers tribal midwives and breast-feeding help. These services start January 1, 2027. People on Medicaid will not pay copays or deductibles. Services can happen at home or by video call.

Who it affects

Pregnant women on Medicaid get doulas and midwives at no cost. Black and Indigenous women face higher death rates in childbirth. States must update their Medicaid plans by the start date.

One thing to notice

Each state can define who counts as a doula or midwife. Coverage may differ from state to state.

From the analysis of the bill text, linked under Primary records below.

Where it stands

7 cosponsors: 6 Democrats, 1 Independents.

• Jul 15, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in Senate”
• Jul 15, 2026 — Referred to Senate Committee on Finance · Congress.gov: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Words to know

• Medicaid — A government health insurance program for people with low income.
• doula — A trained person who helps and supports pregnant women and new mothers.
• midwife — A trained person who helps deliver babies and cares for pregnant women.
• breast-feeding help — A trained person who helps mothers feed babies breast milk.