Bill Overview
Title: Caring for Mothers Act of 2022
Description: This bill permits an individual enrolled in a group or individual health insurance plan and who intends to adopt a child to enroll the pregnant mother of the child in the adoptive individual's coverage for the purpose of providing (1) pregnancy-related and postpartum care, and (2) mental health and substance use disorder services.
Sponsors: Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24]
Target Audience
Population: Pregnant women in the process of having their child adopted
Estimated Size: 135000
- The bill targets pregnant women who are in the process of having their child adopted, who may not have adequate maternity or mental health care coverage on their own.
- The global number of adoptions each year is estimated at about 260,000, which gives a rough number of potential mothers at around half that number, assuming each adoption involves one mother.
- Many pregnant women in adoption scenarios may lack adequate medical insurance, especially for prenatal and postnatal care.
- The target population also includes potential adopting parents who are providing insurance coverage for the adoptive mother, although the focus here is on the mothers themselves.
Reasoning
- The policy is specifically designed to support a vulnerable group: pregnant women who are placing their children for adoption and might lack adequate healthcare.
- Given the estimated number of adoptions per year in the U.S., the policy targets around 135,000 mothers annually, although not all may require assistance, as some might already have adequate healthcare coverage.
- This is a niche policy impacting a relatively small segment of the population directly, meaning its effects will be concentrated in the lives of those engaged in the adoption process.
- The budget is likely to be less strained by the inclusion criteria, focusing on women who truly need this support, although ensuring adequate mental health coverage could slightly increase costs per beneficiary.
Simulated Interviews
Restaurant Worker (Austin, Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without insurance, I've been worried about how to get the prenatal care I need.
- The mental stress of the situation is overwhelming, and finding help has been tough.
- If this policy covers my pregnancy-related needs, it would be a huge relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Hair Stylist (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more coverage would ease a lot of mental stress.
- Currently, I'm counting pennies to afford the prenatal vitamins and doctor's visits.
- This policy could prevent me from sinking into debt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
College Student (Miami, Florida)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My mental health is fragile, and the ongoing pregnancy makes it harder.
- Having more support would allow me to stay focused on finishing school.
- Access to counseling services would be invaluable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Retail Worker (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been nervous about affording care for the pregnancy.
- Being covered would mean a huge weight off everyone's shoulders at home.
- I'm hopeful the policy would provide some stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Social Worker (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Adopting our child has meant navigating a lot of legal and health care maneuvering.
- This policy helps simplify our legal liabilities by ensuring the birth mother receives necessary care.
- Makes the adoption process more compassionate and complete.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Self-Employed Freelancer (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Financially, this is a really stressful time, and covering extra medical bills seems impossible.
- Enough funding could allow me to have the support and resources I deserve as an expectant mother.
- Secure mental health services during postpartum would be essential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Nurse (New York, New York)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these show needed efforts to assist those lacking adequate healthcare.
- This helps ensure health concerns aren't a reason to deter adoption decisions.
- A needed safety net in times of transition for both biological and adoptive families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Teacher (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Most of my current plans cover some but not all my needs.
- Further coverage ensures I'm supported fully during this uncertain time.
- Postpartum mental health services are critical for moving forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Marketing Specialist (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My positive outlook isn't affected much by additional coverage—it’s good to have just in case.
- The peace of mind allows for focus on making sure adoption is the right decision.
- Additional mental health resources could be beneficial for the birth mother.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Office Assistant (Newark, New Jersey)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The financial burden is too high without this policy.
- This would really help in keeping my family's and my child's future secure.
- Emotional and mental care are often overlooked, but necessary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $675000000, High: $1350000000)
Year 2: $1000000000 (Low: $675000000, High: $1350000000)
Year 3: $1000000000 (Low: $675000000, High: $1350000000)
Year 5: $1000000000 (Low: $675000000, High: $1350000000)
Year 10: $1000000000 (Low: $675000000, High: $1350000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $675000000, High: $1350000000)
Key Considerations
- Insurance coverage extension to adoptive mothers may set precedents for other non-traditional coverage expansions.
- Potential shifts in adoption processes and choices if costs become more manageable for adopting parents.
- Uncertain uptake rates as it depends on how many mothers are persuaded to adopt - impacts related coverage costs.