The Keeping Obstetrics Local Act aims to preserve and strengthen maternity care services in rural and underserved hospitals by establishing new Medicaid payment guarantees, federal financial support, and care coordination programs. Starting in 2027, eligible rural and safety-net hospitals will receive Medicaid payments for maternity, labor, and delivery services at rates no lower than 150% of Medicare rates, with the federal government covering the full cost of these enhanced payments; low-volume hospitals will also receive annual "anchor payments" to maintain minimum staffing and equipment. The bill expands maternal health coverage by requiring 12 months of continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant and postpartum individuals and establishes optional state-run "maternity health homes" to coordinate comprehensive care starting in 2028, with federal reimbursement at 90% for the first two years. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $150 million annually beginning in fiscal 2027 to expand the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps for maternal health workforce support, requires hospitals to provide 180 days' notice before closing obstetric units, and allows neighboring-state maternity providers to enroll in Medicaid more easily. States must enforce contracts requiring hospitals to maintain obstetric services with authority to recover payments if services close, ensuring maternity care remains accessible in communities that might otherwise lose these critical services.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.