Mamas First Act

Key Points

• The bill would require every state Medicaid program to cover services from doulas, midwives, tribal midwives, and lactation support providers, including prenatal, labor, and postpartum care.
• Congress cites sharp racial disparities in maternal deaths, with Black women facing about 45 deaths per 100,000 live births and American Indian and Alaska Native women facing about 54.6, compared to 13.6 for White women.
• Medicaid enrollees would not have to pay any cost sharing, like copays or deductibles, for these specific doula, midwife, and lactation support services.
• The changes would apply to care given on or after January 1, 2027, though states that need new state laws to comply get extra time tied to their legislative calendar.
• The bill sets detailed definitions for who counts as a qualifying doula, midwife, tribal midwife, or lactation support provider, generally requiring certification, state authorization, or tribal recognition.