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HR 3942

Keeping Obstetrics Local Act

119th Congress Introduced by Suzanne Bonamici and 1 co-sponsor

The Keeping Obstetrics Local Act boosts access to maternity care in rural areas by enhancing hospital funding, Medicaid coverage, and support for maternal health services.

Introduced in House
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Bill Summary · HR 3942

Summary of HR 3942 - Keeping Obstetrics Local Act

Bill Number: HR 3942
Introduced: June 12, 2025
Status: Introduced in House
Primary Sponsor: Suzanne Bonamici
Cosponsor: Robin L. Kelly
Related Bills: S 2059, S 2085 (companion bills)

Purpose and Intent

The Keeping Obstetrics Local Act aims to enhance access to obstetric services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The bill seeks to provide financial support to hospitals that offer maternity, labor, and delivery services, ensuring that pregnant individuals receive the necessary care without facing barriers due to location or financial constraints.

Key Provisions

TITLE I: Enhancing Financial Support for Rural and Safety Net Hospitals

  • Sec. 101: Mandates state studies and a report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the costs associated with maternity, labor, and delivery services.
  • Sec. 102: Requires adequate Medicaid payment rates for maternity services at eligible hospitals.
  • Sec. 103: Increases federal financial participation for maternity services provided by eligible hospitals.
  • Sec. 104: Establishes anchor payments for labor and delivery services.
  • Sec. 105: Extends adequate payment requirements to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
  • Sec. 106: Excludes increased payments to hospitals from affecting other supplemental payments and upper payment limits.

TITLE II: Expand Coverage of Maternal Health Care

  • Sec. 201: Ensures 12-month continuous, full benefit coverage for pregnant individuals under Medicaid and CHIP.
  • Sec. 202: Establishes health homes for pregnant and postpartum women.
  • Sec. 203: Provides guidance to improve access to Medicaid and CHIP coverage for services offered by doulas and maternal health professionals.
  • Sec. 204: Increases financial support for depression and anxiety screenings during the perinatal and postpartum periods.
  • Sec. 205: Introduces presumptive eligibility for pregnant individuals.

TITLE III: Invest in the Maternal Health Care Workforce

  • Sec. 301: Offers emergency support for the obstetric workforce.
  • Sec. 302: Streamlines the screening and enrollment process for maternity service providers across state lines.

TITLE IV: Requiring Public Communication of Obstetrics Data and Unit Closures

  • Sec. 401: Mandates timely notifications regarding impending closures of hospital obstetric units.
  • Sec. 402: Requires the collection of data related to hospital labor and delivery services.

Impact

The Keeping Obstetrics Local Act is designed to:
- Improve access to maternity care in rural and underserved communities.
- Ensure financial viability for hospitals providing obstetric services.
- Enhance the quality of maternal health care through increased support and coverage.
- Foster better communication and transparency regarding obstetric unit operations and closures.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.
  • The timeline for further action will be determined by the Speaker of the House.

This legislation represents a significant step toward addressing maternal health disparities and ensuring that all individuals have access to essential obstetric services, regardless of their geographical location.

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

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