This bill, known as the "Military Moms Act," aims to enhance support for pregnant military beneficiaries. It mandates that, within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Defense must update the TRICARE program's list of qualifying life events to include both pregnancy and the loss of pregnancy, such as miscarriage or stillbirth. This change will allow beneficiaries to make necessary enrollment adjustments, with guidance provided on required documentation. However, the bill explicitly prohibits the inclusion of abortion as a qualifying life event for these purposes. The legislation also requires a comprehensive report on access to maternal health care within the military health system, due two years after enactment. This report will analyze the availability of care at military medical treatment facilities and through TRICARE network providers, identifying staffing shortages for obstetrician-gynecologists, midwives, and labor and delivery nurses. It will also detail challenges faced by beneficiaries, assess the timeliness of care, and examine continuity of prenatal and postpartum care during permanent changes of station . The study will further identify facilities located in "maternity care deserts" and propose recommendations to improve services and address identified issues. Finally, the bill directs the Secretary to establish a dedicated webpage on the Military OneSource program within one year. This online resource will serve as a comprehensive guide for pregnant beneficiaries, offering information on TRICARE services, mental health counseling, prenatal development, and external support organizations. It will also provide guidance on financial assistance, continuity of care during relocation, and specific resources for pregnant service members, while explicitly excluding information related to abortion. Additionally, the bill mandates training for Military OneSource counselors to address the non-medical needs of pregnant beneficiaries.
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Armed Forces and National Security
Military Moms Act
USA119th CongressHR-2730| House
| Updated: 4/8/2025
This bill, known as the "Military Moms Act," aims to enhance support for pregnant military beneficiaries. It mandates that, within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Defense must update the TRICARE program's list of qualifying life events to include both pregnancy and the loss of pregnancy, such as miscarriage or stillbirth. This change will allow beneficiaries to make necessary enrollment adjustments, with guidance provided on required documentation. However, the bill explicitly prohibits the inclusion of abortion as a qualifying life event for these purposes. The legislation also requires a comprehensive report on access to maternal health care within the military health system, due two years after enactment. This report will analyze the availability of care at military medical treatment facilities and through TRICARE network providers, identifying staffing shortages for obstetrician-gynecologists, midwives, and labor and delivery nurses. It will also detail challenges faced by beneficiaries, assess the timeliness of care, and examine continuity of prenatal and postpartum care during permanent changes of station . The study will further identify facilities located in "maternity care deserts" and propose recommendations to improve services and address identified issues. Finally, the bill directs the Secretary to establish a dedicated webpage on the Military OneSource program within one year. This online resource will serve as a comprehensive guide for pregnant beneficiaries, offering information on TRICARE services, mental health counseling, prenatal development, and external support organizations. It will also provide guidance on financial assistance, continuity of care during relocation, and specific resources for pregnant service members, while explicitly excluding information related to abortion. Additionally, the bill mandates training for Military OneSource counselors to address the non-medical needs of pregnant beneficiaries.