Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB1126

Introduced
2/21/23  
Refer
2/21/23  

Caption

HOPE Act Health, Opportunity, Protecting life, Education Act

Impact

Notable provisions within the bill restrict federal funding to organizations like Planned Parenthood unless they certify that they will not perform abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or medical emergencies. This moratorium on federal funding to such organizations could significantly impact the availability of reproductive health services across various communities, potentially leading to increased challenges for women seeking comprehensive care. Additionally, the bill introduces grant opportunities focused on providing support services for women who choose to carry their pregnancies to term, fostering an environment that prioritizes childbirth and parenting resources.

Summary

House Bill 1126, titled the Health, Opportunity, Protecting Life, Education Act (HOPE Act), seeks to improve access to prenatal and maternal care while establishing significant provisions regarding abortion services. The bill mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for telehealth equipment aimed at enhancing prenatal care, especially in underserved areas. This initiative is a step towards addressing maternal mortality rates and ensuring better health outcomes for mothers and infants, emphasizing the need for accessible care in rural, medically underserved, and tribal communities.

Contention

The HOPE Act has generated points of contention among legislators and advocacy groups. Supporters argue that the bill reflects a commitment to improving maternal health outcomes and providing necessary resources for women. Conversely, critics raise concerns about the implications of the funding restrictions on abortion providers and how that may undermine women's rights and access to essential health services. The requirement for parental notification before a minor can obtain an abortion has also stirred debates regarding the autonomy of young women and the potential repercussions of such a mandate.

Companion Bills

US SB76

Related Standing with Moms Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disseminate information about pregnancy-related resources. Specifically, HHS must maintain a public website (life.gov) that lists such resources that are available through federal, state, and local governments and private entities. Additionally, HHS must maintain on its website a portal that provides a user, based on the user's responses to a series of questions, tailored information about pregnancy resources available in the user's zip code and risks related to abortion. HHS must develop a plan to conduct follow-up outreach to users of the portal (if the user consents to the outreach). States must recommend resources that meet criteria set by HHS for including through the portal. HHS may award grants to states to establish or support a system that aggregates resources to include on the portal. Further, the Health Resources and Services Administration must share information about life.gov and the portal through the Maternal Mental Health Hotline. HHS must also ensure that the life.gov website and hotline are available to families who speak languages other than English. The bill excludes from life.gov, the portal, and the hotline resources provided by entities that (1) perform, induce, refer for, or counsel in favor of abortions; or (2) financially support such entities. The bill also requires HHS to report on traffic to life.gov and the portal, gaps in services available to pregnant and postpartum individuals, and related matters.

US HB517

Related Standing with Moms Act

US HB6636

Related Woman’s Right To Know Act

US HB7044

Related Woman’s Right To Know Act

US SB3609

Related Woman’s Right To Know Act

Similar Bills

US HB6004

MOMMIES Act Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act

US HB4605

Healthy Moms and Babies Act

US SB1599

Data to Save Moms Act

US SB1601

Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act

US HB5866

SAFE in Recovery Act Substance Use Disorder and Family Engagement in Recovery Act

US HB3302

Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act

US SB74

Providing for Life Act of 2023 This bill revises various programs and supports for families and children related to taxes, health, and other benefits. First, the bill increases the child tax credit to a maximum of $3,500 per child ($4,500 per child under the age of six) and makes permanent the increased income threshold over which the credit phases out. The bill further eliminates the federal deduction for certain state and local taxes (SALT deduction) and makes the adoption tax credit refundable. The bill allows parents to use a portion of their Social Security benefits for up to three months of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Additionally, the bill requires Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to cooperate with states in establishing child support orders. It also provides additional workforce training for noncustodial parents with child support obligations. States must establish requirements for the biological father of a child to pay, at the mother's request, at least 50% of reasonable out-of-pocket medical expenses associated with the mother's pregnancy and delivery. The bill requires institutions of higher education to provide students with certain information about the resources and services (excluding abortion services) available to pregnant students. Additionally, the bill provides grants for community-based maternal mentoring programs and for pregnancy resource centers that do not provide abortions; requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish a website with specified pregnancy-related information; and extends from one to two years the postpartum benefit eligibility period under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

US SB76

Standing with Moms Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disseminate information about pregnancy-related resources. Specifically, HHS must maintain a public website (life.gov) that lists such resources that are available through federal, state, and local governments and private entities. Additionally, HHS must maintain on its website a portal that provides a user, based on the user's responses to a series of questions, tailored information about pregnancy resources available in the user's zip code and risks related to abortion. HHS must develop a plan to conduct follow-up outreach to users of the portal (if the user consents to the outreach). States must recommend resources that meet criteria set by HHS for including through the portal. HHS may award grants to states to establish or support a system that aggregates resources to include on the portal. Further, the Health Resources and Services Administration must share information about life.gov and the portal through the Maternal Mental Health Hotline. HHS must also ensure that the life.gov website and hotline are available to families who speak languages other than English. The bill excludes from life.gov, the portal, and the hotline resources provided by entities that (1) perform, induce, refer for, or counsel in favor of abortions; or (2) financially support such entities. The bill also requires HHS to report on traffic to life.gov and the portal, gaps in services available to pregnant and postpartum individuals, and related matters.