MOMMIES Act

To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to improve Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program for low-income mothers. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act MOMMIES Act 2. Enhancing Medicaid and CHIP benefits for low-income pregnant individuals (a) Extending continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant and postpartum individuals (1) Medicaid Title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 (A) in section 1902(e)— (i) in paragraph (6), by striking 60-day period (beginning on the last day of her pregnancy) 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy (or such longer period beginning on such day as the State may elect) (ii) by striking paragraph (16); (B) in section 1902(l)(1)(A), by striking 60-day period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy or such longer period beginning on such day as the State may elect (C) in section 1903(v)(4)(A)(i), by striking 60-day period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy or such longer period beginning on such day as the State may elect (D) in section 1905(a), in the 4th sentence in the matter following paragraph (30), by striking 60-day period beginning on the last day of her pregnancy 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy, or such longer period beginning on such day as the State may elect, (2) CHIP Title XXI of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397 (A) in section 2107(e)(1)(J)— (i) by striking Paragraphs (5) and (16) (ii) by striking (relating to (relating to the provision of medical assistance to pregnant individuals during and following pregnancy under title XIX). (B) in section 2112— (i) in subsection (d)(2)(A), by striking 60-day period 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy, or such longer period beginning on such day as the State may elect, ends; (ii) in subsection (f)(2)— (I) by striking 60-day period (beginning on the last day of the pregnancy) 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy, or such longer period beginning on such day as the State may elect, (b) Requiring full benefits for pregnant and postpartum individuals (1) In general Paragraph (5) of section 1902(e) of the Social Security Act ( 24 U.S.C. 1396a(e) (5) Coverage of full benefits for at least 1 year for pregnant and postpartum individuals (A) In general Any individual who, while pregnant, is eligible for and has received medical assistance under the State plan approved under this title or a waiver of such plan (including during a period of retroactive eligibility under subsection (a)(34)) shall continue to be eligible under the plan or waiver for medical assistance through the end of the month in which the 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy, or such longer period beginning on such day as the State may elect, ends, regardless of the basis for the individual's eligibility for medical assistance, including if the individual's eligibility for medical assistance is on the basis of being pregnant. (B) Scope of benefits The medical assistance provided for a pregnant or postpartum individual described in subparagraph (A) shall— (i) include all items and services covered under the State plan (or waiver) that are not less in amount, duration, or scope, or are determined by the Secretary to be substantially equivalent, to the medical assistance available for an individual described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i); and (ii) be provided for the individual while pregnant and during the 1-year period that begins on the last day of the pregnancy, or such longer period beginning on such day as the State may elect, and ends on the last day of the month in which such period ends. . (2) Conforming amendment Section 1902(a)(10) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10) (VII) the medical assistance during the period described in such section, (c) Requiring coverage of oral health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals (1) Medicaid Section 1905 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d (A) in subsection (a)(4)— (i) by striking ; and (D) ; (D) (ii) by striking ; and (E) ; (E) (iii) by striking ; and (F) ; (F) (iv) by inserting ; and (G) oral health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals (as defined in subsection (jj)) (or waiver of such plan) (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (jj) Oral health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals (1) In general For purposes of this title, the term oral health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals (2) Coverage requirements To satisfy the requirement to provide oral health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, a State shall, at a minimum, provide coverage for preventive, diagnostic, periodontal, and restorative care consistent with recommendations for comprehensive perinatal oral health services and dental services during pregnancy from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. . (2) CHIP Section 2103(c)(6)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397cc(c)(6)(A) or a targeted low-income pregnant individual targeted low-income child (3) Technical amendment Section 2112(d)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397ll(d)(2) (A) in the paragraph header, by inserting ; targeted low-income pregnant individual woman (B) by striking the term targeted low-income pregnant woman the terms targeted low-income pregnant woman targeted low-income pregnant individual (d) Maintenance of effort (1) Medicaid Section 1902 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a (A) in paragraph (74), by striking subsection (gg); and subsections (gg) and (tt); (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (tt) Maintenance of effort related to low-Income pregnant individuals For calendar quarters beginning on or after the date of enactment of this subsection, and before January 1, 2025, no Federal payment shall be made to a State under section 1903(a) for amounts expended under a State plan under this title or a waiver of such plan if the State— (1) has in effect under such plan eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures (including any enrollment cap or other numerical limitation on enrollment, any waiting list, any procedures designed to delay the consideration of applications for enrollment, any income counting rules, or similar limitation with respect to enrollment) for individuals described in subsection (l)(1) who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or waiver under subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX) that are more restrictive than the eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures, respectively, for such individuals under such plan or waiver that are in effect on the date of the enactment of the Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act (2) reduces the amount, duration, or scope of medical assistance available to individuals described in subsection (l)(1) who are eligible for medical assistance under such plan or waiver under subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX) from what the State provided to such individuals under such plan or waiver on the date of the enactment of the Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act . (2) CHIP Section 2112 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397ll (g) Maintenance of effort For calendar quarters beginning on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2025, no payment may be made under section 2105(a) with respect to a State child health plan if the State— (1) has in effect under such plan eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures (including any enrollment cap or other numerical limitation on enrollment, any waiting list, any procedures designed to delay the consideration of applications for enrollment, or similar limitation with respect to enrollment) for targeted low-income pregnant individuals that are more restrictive than the eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures, respectively, under such plan that are in effect on the date of the enactment of the Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act (2) provides pregnancy-related assistance to targeted low-income pregnant individuals under such plan at a level that is less than the level at which the State provides such assistance to such individuals under such plan on the date of the enactment of the Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act . (e) Enhanced FMAP Section 1905 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d (1) in subsection (b), by striking and (ii) (ii), and (kk) (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (kk) Increased FMAP for additional expenditures for low-Income pregnant individuals For calendar quarters beginning on or after January 1, 2021, notwithstanding subsection (b), the Federal medical assistance percentage for a State, with respect to the additional amounts expended by such State for medical assistance under the State plan under this title or a waiver of such plan that are attributable to requirements imposed by the amendments made by the Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act . (f) GAO study and report (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the gaps in coverage for— (A) pregnant individuals under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 42 U.S.C. 1397aa (B) postpartum individuals under the Medicaid program and the Children's Health Insurance Program who received assistance under either such program during their pregnancy. (2) Content of report The report required under this subsection shall include the following: (A) Information about the abilities and successes of State Medicaid agencies in determining whether pregnant and postpartum individuals are eligible under another insurance affordability program, and in transitioning any such individuals who are so eligible to coverage under such a program at the end of their period of eligibility for medical assistance, pursuant to section 435.1200 of the title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on September 1, 2018). (B) Information on factors contributing to gaps in coverage that disproportionately impact underserved populations, including low-income individuals, Black, Indigenous, and other individuals of color, individuals who reside in a health professional shortage area (as defined in section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254e(a)(1)(A) 42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)(A) (C) Recommendations for addressing and reducing such gaps in coverage. (D) Such other information as the Comptroller General deems necessary. (3) Data disaggregation To the greatest extent possible, the Comptroller General shall dissagregate data presented in the report, including by age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, income level, and other demographic factors. (g) Effective date The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect January 1, 2021. 3. Maternity care home demonstration project Title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 1948. Maternity Care Home Demonstration Project (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration project (in this section referred to as the demonstration project (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) A freestanding birth center. (B) An entity or organization receiving assistance under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. (C) A federally qualified health center. (D) A rural health clinic. (E) A health facility operated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act). (2) Eligible individual The term eligible individual (A) enrolled in a State plan under this title, a waiver of such a plan, or a State child health plan under title XXI; and (B) a patient of an eligible entity which has entered into an arrangement with a State under subsection (g). (c) Goals of demonstration project The goals of the demonstration project are the following: (1) To improve— (A) maternity and infant care outcomes; (B) birth equity; (C) health equity for— (i) Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; (ii) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary, and gender nonconfirming individuals; (iii) people with disabilities; and (iv) other underserved populations; (D) communication by maternity, infant care, and social services providers; (E) integration of perinatal support services, including community health workers, doulas, social workers, public health nurses, peer lactation counselors, lactation consultants, childbirth educators, peer mental health workers, and others, into health care entities and organizations; (F) care coordination between maternity, infant care, oral health services, and social services providers within the community; (G) the quality and safety of maternity and infant care; (H) the experience of individuals receiving maternity care, including by increasing the ability of an individual to develop and follow their own birthing plans; and (I) access to adequate prenatal and postpartum care, including— (i) prenatal care that is initiated in a timely manner; (ii) not fewer than 5 post-pregnancy visits to a maternity care provider; and (iii) interpregnancy care. (2) To provide coordinated, evidence-based, respectful, culturally and linguistically appropriate, and person-centered maternity care management. (3) To decrease— (A) severe and preventable maternal morbidity and maternal mortality; (B) overall health care spending; (C) unnecessary emergency department visits; (D) disparities in maternal and infant care outcomes, including racial, economic, disability, gender-based, and geographical disparities; (E) racial, gender, economic, and other discrimination among health care professionals; (F) racism, discrimination, disrespect, and abuse in maternity care settings; (G) the rate of cesarean deliveries for low-risk pregnancies; (H) the rate of preterm births and infants born with low birth weight; and (I) the rate of avoidable maternal and newborn hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units. (d) Consultation In designing and implementing the demonstration project the Secretary shall consult with stakeholders, including— (1) States; (2) organizations representing relevant health care professionals, including oral health services professionals; (3) organizations, particularly reproductive justice and birth justice organizations led by people of color, that represent consumers of maternal health care, including consumers of maternal health care who are disproportionately impacted by poor maternal health outcomes; (4) representatives with experience implementing other maternity care home models, including representatives from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation; (5) community-based health care professionals, including doulas, lactation consultants, and other stakeholders; (6) experts in promoting health equity and combating racial bias in health care settings; and (7) Black, Indigenous, and other maternal health care consumers of color who have experienced severe maternal morbidity. (e) Application and selection of States (1) In general A State seeking to participate in the demonstration project shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall require. (2) Selection of States (A) In general The Secretary shall select at least 10 States to participate in the demonstration project. (B) Selection requirements In selecting States to participate in the demonstration project, the Secretary shall— (i) ensure that there is geographic and regional diversity in the areas in which activities will be carried out under the project; (ii) ensure that States with significant disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, including severe maternal morbidity, and other disparities based on race, income, or access to maternity care, are included; and (iii) ensure that at least 1 territory is included. (f) Grants (1) In general From amounts appropriated under subsection (l), the Secretary shall award 1 grant for each year of the demonstration project to each State that is selected to participate in the demonstration project. (2) Use of grant funds A State may use funds received under this section to— (A) award grants or make payments to eligible entities as part of an arrangement described in subsection (g)(2); (B) provide financial incentives to health care professionals, including community-based health care workers and community-based doulas, who participate in the State's maternity care home model; (C) provide adequate training for health care professionals, including community-based health care workers, doulas, and care coordinators, who participate in the State's maternity care home model, which may include training for cultural humility and antiracism, racial bias, health equity, reproductive and birth justice, trauma-informed care, home visiting skills, and respectful communication and listening skills, particularly in regards to maternal health; (D) pay for personnel and administrative expenses associated with designing, implementing, and operating the State's maternity care home model; (E) pay for items and services that are furnished under the State's maternity care home model and for which payment is otherwise unavailable under this title; (F) pay for services and materials to ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate communication, including— (i) language services such as interpreters and translation of written materials; and (ii) development of culturally and linguistically appropriate materials; and auxiliary aids and services; and (G) pay for other costs related to the State's maternity care home model, as determined by the Secretary. (3) Grant for national independent evaluator (A) In general From the amounts appropriated under subsection (l), prior to awarding any grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall enter into a contract with a national external entity to create a single, uniform process to— (i) ensure that States that receive grants under paragraph (1) comply with the requirements of this section; and (ii) evaluate the outcomes of the demonstration project in each participating State. (B) Annual report The contract described in subparagraph (A) shall require the national external entity to submit to the Secretary— (i) a yearly evaluation report for each year of the demonstration project; and (ii) a final impact report after the demonstration project has concluded. (C) Secretary's authority Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the Secretary from making a determination that a State is not in compliance with the requirements of this section without the national external entity making such a determination. (g) Partnership with eligible entities (1) In general As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, a State shall enter into an arrangement with one or more eligible entities that meets the requirements of paragraph (2). (2) Arrangements with eligible entities Under an arrangement between a State and an eligible entity under this subsection, the eligible entity shall perform the following functions, with respect to eligible individuals enrolled with the entity under the State's maternity care home model— (A) provide culturally and linguistically appropriate congruent care, which may include prenatal care, family planning services, medical care, mental and behavioral care, postpartum care, and oral health services to such eligible individuals through a team of health care professionals, which may include obstetrician-gynecologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, family physicians, primary care providers, oral health providers, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses such as nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, certified professional midwives, physical therapists, social workers, traditional and community-based doulas, lactation consultants, childbirth educators, community health workers, peer mental health supporters, and other health care professionals; (B) conduct a risk assessment of each such eligible individual to determine if their pregnancy is high or low risk, and establish a tailored pregnancy care plan, which takes into consideration the individual's own preferences and pregnancy care and birthing plans and determines the appropriate support services to reduce the individual's medical, social, and environmental risk factors, for each such eligible individual based on the results of such risk assessment; (C) assign each such eligible individual to a culturally and linguistically appropriate care coordinator, which may be a nurse, social worker, traditional or community-based doula, community health worker, midwife, or other health care provider, who is responsible for ensuring that such eligible individual receives the necessary medical care and connections to essential support services; (D) provide, or arrange for the provision of, essential support services, such as services that address— (i) food access, nutrition, and exercise; (ii) smoking cessation; (iii) substance use disorder and addiction treatment; (iv) anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental and behavioral health issues; (v) breast feeding, chestfeeding, or other infant feeding options supports, initiation, continuation, and duration; (vi) stable, affordable, safe, and healthy housing; (vii) transportation; (viii) intimate partner violence; (ix) community and police violence; (x) home visiting services; (xi) childbirth and newborn care education; (xii) oral health education; (xiii) continuous labor support; (xiv) group prenatal care; (xv) family planning and contraceptive care and supplies; and (xvi) affordable child care; (E) as appropriate, facilitate connections to a usual primary care provider, which may be a reproductive health care provider; (F) refer to guidelines and opinions of medical associations when determining whether an elective delivery should be performed on an eligible individual before 39 weeks of gestation; (G) provide such eligible individual with evidence-based and culturally and linguistically appropriate education and resources to identify potential warning signs of pregnancy and postpartum complications and when and how to obtain medical attention; (H) provide, or arrange for the provision of, culturally and linguistically appropriate pregnancy and postpartum health services, including family planning counseling and services, to eligible individuals; (I) track and report postpartum health and birth outcomes of such eligible individuals and their children; (J) ensure that care is person-centered, culturally and linguistically appropriate, and patient-led, including by engaging eligible individuals in their own care, including through communication and education; and (K) ensure adequate training for appropriately serving the population of individuals eligible for medical assistance under the State plan or waiver of such plan, including through reproductive justice, birth justice, birth equity, and anti-racist frameworks, home visiting skills, and knowledge of social services. (h) Term of demonstration project The Secretary shall conduct the demonstration project for a period of 5 years. (i) Waiver authority To the extent that the Secretary determines necessary in order to carry out the demonstration project, the Secretary may waive section 1902(a)(1) (relating to statewideness) and section 1902(a)(10)(B) (relating to comparability). (j) Technical assistance The Secretary shall establish a process to provide technical assistance to States that are awarded grants under this section and to eligible entities and other providers participating in a State maternity care home model funded by such a grant. (k) Report (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter for each year of the demonstration project term, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the results of the demonstration project. (2) Final report As part of the final report required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include— (A) the results of the final report of the national external entity required under subsection (f)(3)(B)(ii); and (B) recommendations on whether the model studied in the demonstration project should be continued or more widely adopted, including by private health plans. (l) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2029, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. . 4. Reapplication of Medicare payment rate floor to primary care services furnished under Medicaid and inclusion of additional providers (a) Reapplication of payment floor; additional providers (1) In general Section 1902(a)(13) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(13) (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ; and (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the semicolon and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) payment for primary care services (as defined in subsection (jj)(1)) furnished in the period that begins on the first day of the first month that begins after the date of enactment of the Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act (i) at a rate that is not less than 100 percent of the payment rate that applies to such services and the provider of such services under part B of title XVIII (or, if greater, the payment rate that would be applicable under such part if the conversion factor under section 1848(d) for the year were the conversion factor under such section for 2009); (ii) in the case of items and services that are not items and services provided under such part, at a rate to be established by the Secretary; and (iii) in the case of items and services that are furnished in rural areas (as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D)), health professional shortage areas (as defined in section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254e(a)(1)(A) 42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)(A) . (2) Conforming amendments (A) Section 1902(a)(13)(C) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(13)(C) subsection (jj) subsection (jj)(1) (B) Section 1905(dd) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(dd) (i) by striking Notwithstanding (1) In general Notwithstanding ; (ii) by striking section 1902(a)(13)(C) subparagraph (C) of section 1902(a)(13) (iii) by inserting or for services described in subparagraph (D) of section 1902(a)(13) furnished during an additional period specified in paragraph (2), 2015, (iv) by striking under such section under subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 1902(a)(13), as applicable (v) by adding at the end the following: (2) Additional periods For purposes of paragraph (1), the following are additional periods: (A) The period that begins on the first day of the first month that begins after the date of enactment of the Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act . (b) Improved targeting of primary care Section 1902(jj) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(jj) (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively and realigning the left margins accordingly; (2) by striking For purposes of subsection (a)(13)(C) (1) In general (A) Definition For purposes of subparagraphs (C) and (D) of subsection (a)(13) ; and (3) by inserting after clause (ii) (as so redesignated) the following: (B) Exclusions Such term does not include any services described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) if such services are provided in an emergency department of a hospital. (2) Additional providers For purposes of subparagraph (D) of subsection (a)(13), a provider described in this paragraph is any of the following: (A) A physician with a primary specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine, or pediatric medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology. (B) An advanced practice clinician, as defined by the Secretary, that works under the supervision of— (i) a physician that satisfies the criteria specified in subparagraph (A); (ii) a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant (as such terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A)) who is working in accordance with State law; or (iii) or a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)) or a certified professional midwife who is working in accordance with State law. (C) A rural health clinic, federally qualified health center, health center that receives funding under title X of the Public Health Service Act, or other health clinic that receives reimbursement on a fee schedule applicable to a physician. (D) An advanced practice clinician supervised by a physician described in subparagraph (A), another advanced practice clinician, or a certified nurse-midwife. (E) A midwife who is working in accordance with State law. . (c) Ensuring payment by managed care entities (1) In general Section 1903(m)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(m)(2)(A) (A) in clause (xii), by striking and (B) by realigning the left margin of clause (xiii) so as to align with the left margin of clause (xii) and by striking the period at the end of clause (xiii) and inserting ; and (C) by inserting after clause (xiii) the following: (xiv) such contract provides that (I) payments to providers specified in section 1902(a)(13)(D) for primary care services defined in section 1902(jj) that are furnished during a year or period specified in section 1902(a)(13)(D) and section 1905(dd) are at least equal to the amounts set forth and required by the Secretary by regulation, (II) the entity shall, upon request, provide documentation to the State, sufficient to enable the State and the Secretary to ensure compliance with subclause (I), and (III) the Secretary shall approve payments described in subclause (I) that are furnished through an agreed upon capitation, partial capitation, or other value-based payment arrangement if the capitation, partial capitation, or other value-based payment arrangement is based on a reasonable methodology and the entity provides documentation to the State sufficient to enable the State and the Secretary to ensure compliance with subclause (I). . (2) Conforming amendment Section 1932(f) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–2(f) (A) by striking section 1902(a)(13)(C) subsections (C) and (D) of section 1902(a)(13) (B) by inserting and clause (xiv) of section 1903(m)(2)(A) 5. MACPAC report and CMS guidance on increasing access to doula services for Medicaid beneficiaries (a) MACPAC Report (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (referred to in this section as MACPAC (A) Information about coverage for doula services under State Medicaid programs that currently provide coverage for such care, including the type of doula services offered (such as prenatal, labor and delivery, postpartum support, and also community-based and traditional doula services). (B) An analysis of barriers to covering doula services under State Medicaid programs. (C) An identification of effective strategies to increase the use of doula services in order to provide better care and achieve better maternal and infant health outcomes, including strategies that States may use to recruit, train, and certify a diverse doula workforce, particularly from underserved communities, communities of color, and communities facing linguistic or cultural barriers. (D) Recommendations for legislative and administrative actions to increase access to doula services in State Medicaid programs, including actions that ensure doulas may earn a living wage that accounts for their time and costs associated with providing care and community-based doula program administration and operation. (2) Stakeholder consultation In developing the report required under paragraph (1), MACPAC shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including— (A) States; (B) organizations, especially reproductive justice and birth justice organizations led by people of color, representing consumers of maternal health care, including those that are disproportionately impacted by poor maternal health outcomes; (C) organizations and individuals representing doulas, including community-based doula programs and those who serve underserved communities, including communities of color, and communities facing linguistic or cultural barriers; (D) organizations representing health care providers; and (E) Black, Indigenous, and other maternal health care consumers of color who have experienced severe maternal morbidity. (b) CMS guidance (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date that MACPAC publishes the report required under subsection (a)(1), the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall issue guidance to States on increasing access to doula services under Medicaid. Such guidance shall at a minimum include— (A) options for States to provide medical assistance for doula services under State Medicaid programs; (B) best practices for ensuring that doulas, including community-based doulas, receive reimbursement for doula services provided under a State Medicaid program, at a level that allows doulas to earn a living wage that accounts for their time and costs associated with providing care and community-based doula program administration; and (C) best practices for increasing access to doula services, including services provided by community-based doulas, under State Medicaid programs. (2) Stakeholder consultation In developing the guidance required under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall consult with MACPAC and other relevant stakeholders, including— (A) State Medicaid officials; (B) organizations representing consumers of maternal health care, including those that are disproportionately impacted by poor maternal health outcomes; (C) organizations representing doulas, including community-based doulas and those who serve underserved communities, such as communities of color and communities facing linguistic or cultural barriers; and (D) organizations representing medical professionals. 6. GAO report on State Medicaid programs' use of telehealth to increase access to maternity care Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress on State Medicaid programs' use of telehealth to increase access to maternity care. Such report shall include the following: (1) The number of State Medicaid programs that utilize telehealth that increases access to maternity care. (2) With respect to State Medicaid programs that utilize telehealth that increases access to maternity care, information about— (A) common characteristics of such programs' approaches to utilizing telehealth that increases access to maternity care; (B) differences in States’ approaches to utilizing telehealth to improve access to maternity care, and the resulting differences in State maternal health outcomes, as determined by factors described in subsection (C); and (C) when compared to patients who receive maternity care in-person, what is known about— (i) the demographic characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, age, and preferred language of the individuals enrolled in such programs who use telehealth to access maternity care; (ii) health outcomes for such individuals, including frequency of mortality and severe morbidity, as compared to individuals with similar characteristics who did not use telehealth to access maternity care; (iii) the services provided to individuals through telehealth, including family planning services, mental health care services, and oral health services; (iv) the devices and equipment provided to individuals for remote patient monitoring and telehealth, including blood pressure monitors and blood glucose monitors; (v) the quality of maternity care provided through telehealth, including whether maternity care provided through telehealth is culturally and linguistically appropriate; (vi) the level of patient satisfaction with maternity care provided through telehealth to individuals enrolled in State Medicaid programs; (vii) the impact of utilizing telehealth to increase access to maternity care on spending, cost savings, access to care, and utilization of care under State Medicaid programs; and (viii) the accessibility and effectiveness of telehealth for maternity care during the COVID–19 pandemic. (3) An identification and analysis of the barriers to using telehealth to increase access to maternity care under State Medicaid programs. (4) Recommendations for such legislative and administrative actions related to increasing access to telehealth maternity services under Medicaid as the Comptroller General deems appropriate.

Summary: Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act or the MOMMIES Act This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) relating to maternal health. For example, the bill expands eligibility for coverage under Medicaid and CHIP from 60 days to one year after the last day of pregnancy and requires such coverage to include oral health services. The bill also establishes a demonstration program in which states receive grants to implement or expand models for maternity care homes that provide services to Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaries. The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) gaps in coverage under Medicaid and CHIP for pregnant and postpartum women, and (2) the use of telehealth by state Medicaid programs to increase access to maternity care.