This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue comprehensive guidance within one year on Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for covered pelvic health services during the prenatal and postpartum periods. This guidance will include best practices for innovative payment models, recommendations for states on available financing options, and technical assistance regarding flexibilities and incentives for screening and access. It will also suggest standardized terminology and diagnosis codes to identify women with pelvic floor dysfunction and disorders. The bill further establishes a postpartum pelvic health education campaign , to be carried out by the Secretary through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with other agencies. This program aims to educate and train health professionals on pelvic floor examinations and the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy. Concurrently, it will educate postpartum women on the importance, accessibility, and process of obtaining pelvic floor examinations and referrals for physical therapy. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Comptroller General of the United States (GAO) conduct a study and submit a report within one year addressing gaps in coverage for covered pelvic health services under Medicaid for postpartum women, as well as other services for postpartum women who received Medicaid during their pregnancy. The bill defines "postpartum period" as the longer of lactation or six months post-pregnancy, and "covered pelvic health services" as pelvic floor examinations and pelvic health physical therapy.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Health
Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2026
USA119th CongressS-4480| Senate
| Updated: 5/11/2026
This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue comprehensive guidance within one year on Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for covered pelvic health services during the prenatal and postpartum periods. This guidance will include best practices for innovative payment models, recommendations for states on available financing options, and technical assistance regarding flexibilities and incentives for screening and access. It will also suggest standardized terminology and diagnosis codes to identify women with pelvic floor dysfunction and disorders. The bill further establishes a postpartum pelvic health education campaign , to be carried out by the Secretary through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with other agencies. This program aims to educate and train health professionals on pelvic floor examinations and the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy. Concurrently, it will educate postpartum women on the importance, accessibility, and process of obtaining pelvic floor examinations and referrals for physical therapy. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Comptroller General of the United States (GAO) conduct a study and submit a report within one year addressing gaps in coverage for covered pelvic health services under Medicaid for postpartum women, as well as other services for postpartum women who received Medicaid during their pregnancy. The bill defines "postpartum period" as the longer of lactation or six months post-pregnancy, and "covered pelvic health services" as pelvic floor examinations and pelvic health physical therapy.