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S 4913

A bill 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.

119th Congress Introduced by Tammy Baldwin and 5 co-sponsors

The bill would amend Medicaid and CHIP rules to improve coverage and benefits for low-income pregnant individuals and mothers, expanding access and protections.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4913

Overview

S. 4913, introduced in the 119th Congress and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, is a bill titled “A bill 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.” The legislation is sponsored (and co-sponsored) by several prominent Senators, including Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Cory Booker, Tammy Baldwin, and Tina Smith. The action history shows the bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance on June 24, 2026.

Purpose and intent

  • The core aim is to improve Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) specifically for low-income mothers.
  • By amending titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (CHIP) of the Social Security Act, the bill seeks to enhance coverage, access, and/or benefits for pregnant and postpartum individuals and/or mothers with low incomes under Medicaid/CHIP.

Key provisions and changes (as described by the bill's title and typical pathways for such amendments)

Note: The exact statutory text is not provided here, but the bill’s stated purpose suggests several common avenues of reform in this policy area. Potential areas that such a bill could address include:
- Expanding eligibility thresholds for Medicaid/CHIP to cover more low-income pregnant individuals and mothers.
- Strengthening mandatory or optional coverage categories for maternity-related services (prenatal, delivery, postnatal care).
- Enhancing benefits or cost-sharing protections for low-income mothers, such as reduced premiums or waivers of copayments for essential services.
- Increasing federal matching funds or adjusting payment structures to improve provider access and system sustainability.
- Extending post-pregnancy coverage duration (e.g., postpartum coverage) beyond current standards.
- Aligning CHIP and Medicaid benefits to ensure seamless coverage for mothers who transition between programs or age out of CHIP.

Because the bill text is not included, the summary focuses on the typical scope of “amend titles XIX and XXI” to improve Medicaid/CHIP for low-income mothers.

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: low-income pregnant individuals and new or expectant mothers enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.
  • Indirect beneficiaries: families and dependents of enrolled mothers, healthcare providers participating in Medicaid/CHIP, and state Medicaid/CHIP programs that administer these benefits.
  • States: State Medicaid directors and CHIP programs would implement any changes, contingent on federal funding and guidance.

Procedural and timing aspects

  • Status: Introduced in the Senate and read twice, then referred to the Committee on Finance (June 24, 2026).
  • Next steps: The Finance Committee would conduct a markup, consider amendments, and potentially report the bill to the Senate floor. If reported, it would proceed through the Senate’s legislative process and would need passage by both chambers and the President’s signature to become law.
  • Funding consideration: As a title XIX/XXI amendment, the bill would involve federal-state funding arrangements; updates to matching rates or conditional funding could accompany the policy changes.

Additional notes

  • Co-sponsors include notable figures such as Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Cory Booker, Tammy Baldwin, and Tina Smith, signaling broad support within the Democratic caucus.
  • Without the full text, exact mechanisms (eligibility thresholds, benefit Tables, cost-sharing rules, effective dates) cannot be specified. Readers should consult the bill’s text and committee reports for precise provisions, fiscal impact, and implementation timelines.

If you’d like, I can incorporate the exact section-by-section provisions from the bill text once provided or available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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