S. 4480

119 S4480 IS: Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2026
 U.S. Senate
 2026-05-11
 text/xml
 EN
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 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 4480  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   May 11, 2026   Ms. Blunt Rochester  (for herself and  Mr. Sullivan ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Finance    A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on coverage under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act of certain pelvic health services furnished during the postpartum period, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2026  .
2.
CMS guidance
(a)
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance on coverage under State plans (or waivers of such plans) under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) or State child health plans (or waivers of such plans) under the Children’s Health Insurance Program under title XXI of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq. ) of covered pelvic health services furnished during the prenatal or postpartum period. Such guidance shall include—
(1)
best practices from States with respect to innovative or evidenced-based payment models to increase access to covered pelvic health services;
(2)
recommendations for States on available financing options under—
(A)
the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ); and
(B)
the Children’s Health Insurance Program under title XXI of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq. ), specifically funds made available through a Children’s Health Insurance Program Health Services Initiative;
(3)
guidance and technical assistance to State agencies responsible for administering State plans (or waivers of such plans) under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) regarding additional flexibilities and incentives related to screening and referral for, and access to, covered pelvic health services; and
(4)
guidance regarding suggested terminology and diagnosis codes, such as the International Classification of Diseases code set, to identify women with pelvic floor dysfunction and disorders.
(b)
GAO study
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on, and submit to Congress a report that addresses, gaps in coverage for—
(1)
covered pelvic health services under State plans (or waivers of such plans) under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) for postpartum women; and
(2)
other services for postpartum women who received medical assistance under a State plan (or a waiver of such plan) under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) during their pregnancy.
(c)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term  postpartum period  means the longer of the period of lactation or the 6-month period beginning on the last day of a woman’s pregnancy.
(2)
The term  covered pelvic health services  means—
(A)
pelvic floor examinations (as defined in section 317L–2 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 3 of this Act); and
(B)
pelvic health physical therapy (as defined in such section 317L–2).
3.
Postpartum pelvic health education campaign
Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 243 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 317L–1 ( 42 U.S.C. 247b–13a ) the following:
317L–2.
Postpartum pelvic health education campaign
(a)
In general
The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration and the heads of other agencies, and in consultation with appropriate health professional associations, shall develop and carry out a program—
(1)
to educate and train health professionals on pelvic floor examinations and the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy; and
(2)
to educate postpartum women on—
(A)
with respect to pelvic floor examinations—
(i)
the importance of such examinations during the postpartum period;
(ii)
how to obtain such an examination, including information relating to obtaining referrals; and
(iii)
what is involved in such an examination; and
(B)
with respect to pelvic health physical therapy—
(i)
the benefits of, and availability of, such physical therapy; and
(ii)
how to obtain a referral for such physical therapy.
(b)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term  pelvic floor examination  means an examination to assess a patient for pelvic health related conditions that is composed of—
(A)
an external evaluation that includes analysis of posture, joint integrity, muscle performance, quality of movement, and palpation and observation of the pelvic floor; and
(B)
if deemed necessary based on the health care professional’s clinical reasoning, an internal vaginal or rectal examination, or both, to gather relevant information about the tone, strength, control, ability to contract and relax the muscles of the pelvic floor individually and together, the condition of the surrounding fascia, and the position of the organs.
(2)
The term  pelvic health physical therapy  means a personalized physical therapy plan implemented by a pelvic health physical therapist, after performing a pelvic floor examination and making a diagnosis, that is based on best available evidence to improve the patient condition, with respect to the anatomy of the pelvic floor, improve mobility, recover from injury, prevent future injury, and manage pain and chronic conditions.
(3)
The term  pelvic health related condition  includes urinary dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, musculoskeletal dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, cancer-related rehabilitation, and the pre-partum state and pre-partum conditions.
(c)
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
 .