Congress·In Committee·H.R. 6442

Congress Backs Rule Requiring Biological Fathers to Pay at Least Half of Pregnancy Medical Costs

Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act

4 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Would require states to set and enforce child support so a baby’s biological father pays at least 50% of the mother’s reasonable out-of-pocket medical costs tied to pregnancy and delivery.
Costs covered could include health insurance premiums, deductibles, copays, and other similar expenses the mother has to pay during pregnancy and childbirth.
The father’s payment would apply only if the mother asks for this support; it is not automatic in every case.
Says these required payments should not be read as covering costs connected to an abortion, and it defines what counts as an abortion for this purpose.
Would start January 1 after the law is enacted, with extra time for states that must pass new state laws to put it into effect.

HealthcareLabor EmploymentConsumer Protection

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Positive Impacts(3)

Chronic Illness

Helps

Pregnant

Helps

Child Tax Credit

Helps

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Dec 4, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Dec 4, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the Act is enacted

States begin preparing to add pregnancy-and-delivery medical costs into child support orders

If you’re pregnant and expecting help with medical bills, there may be a ramp-up period while your state updates forms, staff training, and procedures.

January 1 after enactment

New requirement takes effect on January 1 of the first calendar year after enactment

From that January 1 onward (in states that can comply without new laws), a mother who asks could seek an order requiring the biological father to pay at least 50% of reasonable out-of-pocket pregnancy and delivery medical costs.

Potentially months to over a year after enactment, depending on the state legislature calendar

Some states get extra time if they must pass a state law to comply

In those states, you might not be able to use the new pregnancy medical cost-sharing rule right away. It would start no later than the first day of the first calendar quarter after the close of the first regular state legislative session that begins after enactment.

Around the effective date in each state

Child support agencies begin accepting requests to include pregnancy and delivery out-of-pocket costs

Pregnant people who want the father to share costs would likely need to request this through their state’s child support process and provide proof of expenses (like bills, insurance statements, or premium amounts), depending on state rules.