Maternal Health Policies & Initiatives
Up-to-date information on key maternal health policies and initiatives at both the national and state levels. Stay informed, get involved, and help us advance policies that support healthy pregnancies, safe childbirth, and equitable care for all mothers.
Federal Policies
Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act is a federal legislative package designed to address the maternal health crisis by improving healthcare access, funding community programs, and tackling social determinants of health. It aims to reduce racial disparities in maternal outcomes by investing in solutions that support Black mothers and birthing people.
California Policies
California Momnibus Act
The California Momnibus Act (SB-65) strengthens maternal health care by expanding access to midwifery services, doula care, and postpartum health coverage while addressing racial disparities in birth outcomes. It prioritizes community-based solutions and data transparency to improve maternal and infant health, particularly for Black and Indigenous families.
Medi-Cal Doula Benefit
The Medi-Cal Doula Benefit, established under the California Momnibus Act (SB-65), provides coverage for doula services to support pregnant and postpartum individuals. This benefit aims to improve birth outcomes and reduce disparities by expanding access to culturally competent, non-clinical emotional, physical, and informational support.
California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act
The California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act (SB 464 & AB 2319) mandates implicit bias training for perinatal healthcare providers to address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. It strengthens patient protections by ensuring equitable, respectful care for Black, Indigenous, and people of color during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.
Incarcerated persons: prenatal and postpartum care
AB-2740 supports prenatal care for the incarcerated pregnant population by requiring a social work referral to provide resources and information on parenting classes and other relevant courses for newborn care inclusive of visitation options. The bill supports postpartum needs by requiring adequate time and care for mother and infant during their hospital admission as well as bonding time and ensuring opportunities for mothers to breastfeed and pump breast milk to be stored and provided to their infants.
Incarceration: Pregnant persons
This assembly bill builds upon the previously existing law that ensures pregnant incarcerated women will be evaluated by an OB provider in a timely manner, have access to prenatal vitamins, and prohibits tasing and exposure to chemical weapons. Updates to AB2527 include provision of free and clean bottled water and daily high-quality, high caloric nutritional meals, and prohibiting placement in solitary confinement or restrictive housing units if known to be pregnant or up to 12 weeks postpartum.
Lactation
The California Breastfeeding Support Act (SB 402) requires all hospitals with maternity services to adopt the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative or an evidence-based alternative to support breastfeeding. This law ensures hospitals provide education, assistance, and policies that promote breastfeeding as the standard of care for newborn nutrition.
Maternal Mental Health
The Maternal Mental Health Assembly Bill 2193 requires OB/GYNs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, naturopathic doctors, and licensed midwives to screen for perinatal mood disorders; and orders health insurers to develop maternal mental health programs that promote quality and cost-effectiveness
Maternal Mental Health Conditions
The Maternal Mental Health Conditions Assembly Bill 3032 requires all birthing hospitals in California to provide education and information to postpartum people and their families about maternal mental health conditions, post-hospital treatment options, and community resources; All regular staff in labor and delivery departments (e.g. registered nurses and social workers) must receive education and information about maternal mental health disorders; and hospitals must develop an additional service (to be determined by the hospital) to ensure optimal care.
Maternal Mental Health Screenings
A health care service plan shall develop a maternal mental health program designed to promote quality and cost-effective outcomes. The program shall consist of at least one maternal mental health screening to be conducted during pregnancy, at least one additional screening to be conducted during the first six weeks of the postpartum period, and additional postpartum screenings, if determined to be medically necessary and clinically appropriate in the judgment of the treating provider. As part of a maternal mental health program, the health care service plan is encouraged to improve screening, treatment, and referral to maternal mental health services, include coverage for doulas, incentivize training opportunities for contracting obstetric providers, and educate enrollees about the program.
Healing Arts: Maternal Mental Health Continuing Education
This bill requires specified boards (including the Board of Registered Nursing, the Board of Psychology, the Physician Assistant Board, and the Board of Behavioral Sciences) to consider including a course in maternal mental health when determining their continuing education requirements. The importance of AB2581 is to ensure there is a standard for basic knowledge of perinatal mental health (PMH) as there is no current mandate for PMH training for any of the specified licensing boards listed here.
Maternal Health Initiatives
California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal
The California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative is a statewide effort to transform Medi-Cal by expanding access to whole-person care, addressing social determinants of health, and improving health equity. It provides enhanced services like community supports, care coordination, and integrated health solutions to better serve Medi-Cal beneficiaries, including pregnant and postpartum individuals.
MCAH Community Title V Needs Assessment
The San Bernardino County Public Health Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health (MCAH) Title V Local Needs Assessment identifies key health priorities for mothers, children, and families to improve maternal and child health services. This assessment helps guide programs and policies by addressing local health disparities and promoting equitable access to care. Read the 2024 Executive Summary.
Seven Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being
The 7 Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being framework identifies key factors—such as basic needs, lifelong learning, and a thriving natural environment—that shape individual and community health over time. This initiative promotes policies and programs that create equitable opportunities for all people to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Healthy People 2030
The Healthy People 2030 initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sets data-driven national objectives to improve health and well-being over the next decade. It focuses on reducing health disparities, addressing social determinants of health, and promoting policies that create healthier communities.
Midwifery Access Policies & Initiatives
Healing Arts: Pregnancy & Childbirth
Healing Arts: Pregnancy and Childbirth is a state law enacted to modernize and clarify the scope of practice for Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) within California’s maternal health care system. Sponsored by Senator Bill Dodd, the law expands and clarifies CNMs’ authority to deliver care related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related women’s health services. Among other provisions, SB 667 ensures CNMs can provide care consistent with their professional training, including managing common gynecologic conditions, admitting and discharging patients in hospitals when privileges exist, certifying disability when appropriate, and serving as laboratory directors for specified tests. The legislation streamlines aspects of midwifery practice to improve access to maternal care and support workforce flexibility in maternal health services.
Midwifery Workforce Training Act
The Midwifery Workforce Training Act is a California state legislative bill enacted in 2025 to strengthen the maternal care workforce by supporting statewide planning and education for midwives. The law directs the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer funding, upon appropriation, for a comprehensive statewide study on midwifery education and training, with a focus on expanding and diversifying the midwifery workforce to better serve families across both urban and rural areas. The study’s findings must be reported to the Legislature and publicly shared. The goal is to build a stronger, more equitable pipeline of trained midwives to help address provider shortages and improve access to culturally responsive maternal care in California.
Freedom to Birth Act
The Freedom to Birth Act is a California state law designed to expand access to safe, community-based maternity care by modernizing licensing and reimbursement requirements for alternative birth centers. The bill removes outdated regulatory barriers, streamlines licensure, and supports Medi-Cal reimbursement for birth center services. By increasing access to culturally responsive, non-hospital birth options—especially in communities impacted by maternity care deserts—AB 55 aims to improve maternal and infant outcomes and reduce racial and geographic disparities in birth care across California.
Midwives for MOMS Act
The Midwives for MOMS Act is a federal bill designed to strengthen the U.S. midwifery workforce and expand access to maternity care. It authorizes federal grants to support midwifery education programs, clinical training sites, and student financial support, with a focus on increasing midwives in underserved areas and improving racial and ethnic diversity in the profession. The bill aims to enhance maternal care access, improve outcomes, and address workforce shortages nationwide.
Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act
The Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act is a federal bill introduced to improve maternal health care access and equity for people covered by Medicaid. The legislation would increase the federal matching rate to 90% for Medicaid expenditures on maternal health services that exceed 2019 spending levels, incentivizing states to expand and enhance care. Qualifying services include prenatal and postpartum care provided by maternity care providers and perinatal health workers—such as doulas—as well as telehealth, home visiting, and behavioral health services during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The goal of the bill is to strengthen Medicaid’s support for comprehensive maternal health care and reduce disparities in outcomes.
