Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2026”.
Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2026
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.
Sec. 2 CMS guidance
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—
best practices from States with respect to innovative or evidenced-based payment models to increase access to covered pelvic health services;
recommendations for States on available financing options under—
the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.); and
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;
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
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.
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—
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
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.
Definitions— In this section:
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.
The term covered pelvic health services means—
pelvic floor examinations (as defined in section 317L–2 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 3 of this Act); and
pelvic health physical therapy (as defined in such section 317L–2).
Sec. 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.”