Postpartum Care Bill Mandates Pelvic Health Guidance for Medicaid, Funds $2M Education Campaign Through 2030

The “Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2025” is basically a huge push to make sure new mothers covered by Medicaid and CHIP get essential care that often gets overlooked: pelvic health. If you’ve ever known a new mom dealing with issues like incontinence or chronic pain after childbirth, you know this is a big deal. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue clear guidance to states within one year on how to cover specific services—namely, pelvic floor exams and physical therapy—for new mothers under these programs (SEC. 2).

The Fine Print on Coverage: What Changes for New Moms

This isn't just a suggestion; it’s a mandate for clearer coverage. For a new mother relying on Medicaid, this means better access to specialized physical therapy that can treat common, painful, and often debilitating postpartum conditions. The law defines the postpartum period generously: it covers the six months after delivery, or longer if the mother is breastfeeding (lactating). This longer window recognizes that recovery doesn't end at six weeks. HHS must also share the “best ways” other states are already paying for these services, which should help states streamline their systems and reduce administrative hurdles for providers (SEC. 2).

A Study to Pinpoint the Gaps

To ensure no one falls through the cracks, the bill also orders the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study within the first year. This study will specifically look for gaps in postpartum coverage under Medicaid, focusing on essential pelvic health services and any other necessary care for women who were covered during pregnancy (SEC. 2). This is the policy equivalent of looking under the couch cushions to find the missing change—it aims to identify exactly where the current system is failing new mothers so the fixes can be targeted and effective.

Putting Pelvic Health on the Map: The Education Campaign

Beyond just coverage, the bill addresses awareness, which is half the battle. It establishes a national education campaign led by the CDC and HRSA, running from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 (SEC. 3). This campaign has two major goals. First, it will train health professionals on how to perform pelvic floor exams and explain the benefits of physical therapy. Second, it will educate new mothers directly about why these exams are important and how to get a referral for physical therapy, which is defined as customized, evidence-based treatment.

To make sure this campaign actually happens, the bill authorizes $2 million in funding for each fiscal year between 2026 and 2030 (SEC. 3). For everyday people, this means your doctor, nurse, or midwife will likely be better trained to spot and treat these issues, and new moms will be armed with the knowledge to advocate for this necessary care. By defining terms like pelvic floor examination—which includes an external check, and potentially an internal exam—the bill ensures that both providers and patients know exactly what quality care looks like.