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S4480119th CongressWALLET

Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

Introduced

Summary

Better access to postpartum pelvic health care. This bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program coverage of pelvic floor examinations and pelvic health physical therapy during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

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  • Postpartum women: Would get clearer pathways to pelvic floor exams and referrals for pelvic health physical therapy during pregnancy and the postpartum period, defined as the longer of lactation or 6 months after pregnancy.
  • State Medicaid and CHIP agencies and policymakers: Would receive best-practice guidance on payment models and financing options, including use of a CHIP Health Services Initiative, plus suggested terminology and diagnosis codes to identify pelvic floor disorders. The Government Accountability Office would study coverage gaps and report to Congress within 1 year.
  • Clinicians and the public health workforce: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would run a postpartum pelvic health education campaign to train clinicians and educate postpartum women about exams, therapy benefits, and how to get referrals.

*Would increase federal spending by $2.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund the CDC education campaign.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Medicaid and CHIP pelvic care guidance

If enacted, the bill would require HHS to issue guidance within one year on Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pelvic health services during pregnancy and after birth. The guidance would include state best practices on payment models, recommendations on financing options (including CHIP Health Services Initiative funds), technical help for State Medicaid agencies on screening, referral, and access incentives, and suggested diagnosis and coding (such as ICD codes). The bill defines the postpartum period as the longer of lactation or six months after pregnancy and says covered pelvic health services mean pelvic floor examinations and pelvic health physical therapy. The guidance would not itself change benefits but could lead States to expand coverage or change how services are paid for.

Postpartum pelvic health education campaign

If enacted, the bill would create a Postpartum Pelvic Health Education Campaign run by CDC with HRSA and others to train health professionals and educate postpartum women. The campaign would teach clinicians how to do pelvic floor examinations and explain the benefits and referral pathways for pelvic health physical therapy. The bill would define pelvic floor exams (including external checks and, when clinically needed, internal vaginal or rectal exams) and define pelvic health physical therapy as a personalized plan after diagnosis. The bill would authorize $2,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the campaign; the money would fund education and outreach, not direct payments to households.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

DE • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 5/11/2026

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 6/1/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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