Pregnancy Loss Mental Health Research Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]
Introduced
Summary
Conditions on grants for pregnancy-loss mental health treatment. This bill would require grant recipients to follow strict spending and patient-charge rules for clinical mental health care after a pregnancy loss.
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- Families: Patients would have limits on what they can be charged for services. Fees could be lower for people with limited finances.
- Providers and grant recipients: Grantees would be limited to using no more than 5% of the grant for administration, accounting, reporting, and oversight.
- Payers and other programs: Grants must supplement and not replace other funds for care. They may not pay for services if payment has been or reasonably can be made by a state compensation program, an insurance policy, a federal or state health benefits program, or an entity that provides health services on a prepaid basis.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
National study on pregnancy-loss mental health
If enacted, the National Institute of Mental Health would run a national, long-term study on mental health after pregnancy loss. The study would cover miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion. The NIMH Director would report to Congress no later than three years after enactment and periodically after that. The study would coordinate with other NIH institutes as needed.
Grants for mental health after pregnancy loss
If enacted, the bill would expand a federal mental-health grant program to help people who experienced pregnancy loss. Grants could pay for screening, outpatient and home-based care, inpatient care management, family supports, transportation, respite, and counseling on financial help and insurance. Grant rules would cap administrative spending at 5 percent and require funds to supplement, not replace, other coverage. Grants could not pay for services already paid or reasonably expected to be paid by insurance or public benefits. The bill would bar certain providers that perform or fund abortions, with exceptions for rape, incest, or when a physician certifies the woman's life is endangered. It would authorize $4.5 million for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]
NC • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]
OK • R
Sponsored 5/29/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov