BABIES Act expands access to birth centers and explores payment models to improve maternity care.

The BABIES Act, or Better Availability of Birth Centers Improves Outcomes and Expands Savings Act, aims to address maternity care shortages and improve outcomes by expanding access to birth centers. The bill provides grants to accredited birth centers for renovation, equipment, and accreditation. It also establishes a Medicaid demonstration program to test more effective payment models for birth center care, focusing on low-risk pregnancies. States must meet criteria, including having maternity care deserts or below-threshold outcomes, to participate.

BABIES Act expands access to birth centers and explores payment models to improve maternity care.

The BABIES Act, or Better Availability of Birth Centers Improves Outcomes and Expands Savings Act, aims to address maternity care shortages and improve outcomes by expanding access to birth centers. The bill provides grants to accredited birth centers for renovation, equipment, and accreditation. It also establishes a Medicaid demonstration program to test more effective payment models for birth center care, focusing on low-risk pregnancies. States must meet criteria, including having maternity care deserts or below-threshold outcomes, to participate.