Healthcare (Women's Health)

The Caring for Mothers Act of 2025 requires health insurance plans to cover pregnancy-related care, postpartum care, and mental health services for birth mothers who place their newborns for adoption. It directly affects birth mothers (citizens or lawfully present individuals who are pregnant or within six months postpartum) and their health insurance plans. To activate coverage, an adoptive parent must submit a joint request with the birth mother, including attestations about the adoption plan. Coverage begins the month after the request is received and lasts up to one year from the child’s birth, ending if either party requests termination. The law explicitly states it does not require an adoption to proceed or impose penalties if adoption is not completed.

The State Public Option Act creates a new Medicaid buy-in option for state residents who are not enrolled in other health insurance plans, beginning January 1, 2026. It establishes limits on premiums (capped at 8.5% of family income) and cost-sharing, while allowing participants to enroll through state health insurance exchanges and access premium tax credits similar to those for private insurance. The bill also requires coverage of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion services, starting in 2026. Additionally, it includes provisions to improve payment rates for primary care services provided under Medicaid.