To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require hospitals and freestanding birth centers to notify each mother of a miscarried fetus of her rights with respect to such fetus, and for other purposes.

Overview

HR 8784 (119th Congress) seeks to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require hospitals and freestanding birth centers to notify each mother of a miscarried fetus of her rights with respect to such fetus, and for other purposes.

• Main purpose: Ensure that mothers who experience a miscarriage are informed of their rights related to the miscarried fetus.
• Sponsorship: Co-sponsored by Rep. Kat Cammack, Rep. Claudia Tenney, and Rep. Greg Steube.
• Introduced / Referral: Introduced in the House on May 13, 2026. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, with possible additional referrals as determined by the Speaker.

Key provisions

• Notification requirement: Hospitals and freestanding birth centers would be required to notify a mother who experiences a miscarriage about her rights concerning the miscarried fetus. The bill does not, in the text provided here, specify the exact content of the notification, the timing, or the method of delivery. The full language would detail these procedural elements (e.g., who is responsible for providing the notice, whether the notice must be provided in multiple languages, and the timeframe in which notice must be given).
• Covered entities: The policy would apply to hospitals and freestanding birth centers that bill under the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act).
• Scope and definitions: The bill would define “miscarried fetus” and identify facilities subject to the notification requirement. The precise definitions, including gestational age thresholds or other criteria, would be outlined in the statutory text.
• Enforcement and penalties: The summary does not specify enforcement mechanisms or penalties; the amended statute would typically include provisions for penalties or compliance monitoring if hospitals or birth centers fail to provide the required notice. The detailed provisions would appear in the bill’s text.

Affected parties

• Mothers who experience a miscarriage: Primary beneficiaries who would receive notification about their rights.
• Hospitals and freestanding birth centers: Entities responsible for providing the mandated notification, subject to the operational and administrative requirements set forth in the bill.
• Medicare program administrators and providers: As a title XVIII amendment, CMS and Medicare-participating facilities would implement the notice requirement as part of Medicare-covered services.

Procedural and timeline considerations

• Committee process: The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration of provisions within their jurisdictions.
• Potential timelines: If advanced, the bill would move through committee markups, potential floor consideration, and, if passed, reconciliation with Senate legislation and signature or veto considerations. Specific deadlines or schedule would depend on House rules and Senate action.
• Policy alignment: The bill aligns with a broader pattern of legislation aimed at increasing patient rights awareness and informed decision-making in maternal care settings.

Notes and considerations

• The available summary does not include the exact language on notification content, timing, format, multilingual requirements, or penalties. The full text would clarify these operational details.
• As a Medicare-related amendment, the bill would influence records, patient communications, and potential compliance costs for facilities receiving Medicare payment.

If you’d like, I can pull the full text or draft language extraction to provide precise provisions, timelines, and enforcement details.