HR-7973-119
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, and the Judiciary, 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.
Sponsored by Lauren Underwood (D-IL)
What it does
The Momnibus Act is an omnibus maternal health bill that would address the United States maternal mortality and morbidity crisis through a package of provisions spanning multiple policy areas. Based on prior versions of this legislation, it would expand access to maternal healthcare services, address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, extend Medicaid postpartum coverage, support the maternal health workforce, and fund community-based programs. The bill has been referred to five House committees — Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, and the Judiciary — reflecting its broad, multi-sector scope.
Who benefits
Pregnant and postpartum women, particularly Black, Indigenous, and other women of color who face disproportionately higher maternal mortality rates. Medicaid-enrolled mothers who would receive extended postpartum coverage. Veterans who are pregnant or postpartum. Rural and underserved communities with limited access to obstetric care. Midwives, doulas, and community health workers who may receive expanded recognition and funding. Hospitals and health systems that would receive grants or reimbursement support.
Who is hurt
Taxpayers who would bear the cost of new federal spending. States that may face new administrative requirements tied to federal funding conditions. Private insurers who could face new coverage mandates. Competing healthcare priorities that may receive less funding if appropriations are constrained. Providers who may face new reporting or compliance burdens.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations — approximately 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births as of 2021 (CDC) — and that Black women die at nearly three times the rate of white women, making federal intervention a matter of both public health and equity. They contend that the bill's multi-pronged approach, addressing workforce, coverage gaps, and community-based care, is necessary because no single intervention has proven sufficient to reverse these trends.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that the bill's broad scope and multi-committee referral signal significant new federal spending without clear evidence that federal mandates outperform state-led solutions, several of which have already extended postpartum Medicaid coverage under existing law. They contend that imposing uniform federal standards on maternal care delivery may reduce flexibility for states to tailor programs to local conditions, and that the bill's costs could crowd out other healthcare priorities without demonstrated improvements in outcomes.
Constitutional context
Congress would rely primarily on the Taxing and Spending Clause (Art. I, §8, cl. 1) to fund maternal health programs and on the Commerce Clause (Art. I, §8, cl. 3) to regulate insurance coverage requirements. Spending Clause conditions attached to Medicaid funding must not be so coercive as to leave states no genuine choice, per NFIB v. Sebelius (2012). Post-Loper Bright (2024), any agency rules implementing the bill's provisions would face independent judicial review rather than automatic deference.
Checks and balances
Congress would authorize new spending and mandates; HHS and other agencies would implement regulations subject to post-Loper Bright independent judicial review; states retain some discretion in how they administer Medicaid-linked provisions within federal conditions.
Historical precedent
Prior versions of the Momnibus Act were introduced in the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses; some provisions — including 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage — were enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and later made permanent in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.