Bill aims for free mental health coverage for new parents in House proposal

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore’s newly submitted legislation in the House seeks to provide comprehensive mental health and substance use services for people during and following pregnancy, according to the U.S. Congress.

H.R.7227 was brought forward on Jan. 22, 2026, as part of the 119th Congress’s 2026 regular session. Our summary below draws from the bill’s official language and presents clarifying interpretation when needed.

The measure would amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. If enacted, group health plans and health insurance issuers would be required to cover mental health and substance use disorder services—including telehealth—for individuals beginning with a pregnancy diagnosis and continuing through one year after pregnancy ends, all without cost-sharing. Coverage provisions would apply for plan years starting two years after enactment. Additionally, the bill clarifies key terms and establishes consistency on care continuity to help patients maintain necessary access to these services throughout and after pregnancy.

Rep. Gwen Moore (Democrat-WI-4th District) introduced the bill, with Rep. Steve Cohen (Democrat-WI-9th District), Rep. Suzan K. DelBene (Democrat-WI-1st District), and Rep. Debbie Dingell (Democrat-WI-6th District) among the 14 cosponsors.

So far in the current session, Rep. Moore has introduced 12 additional bills.

Congressional bills may originate in the House of Representatives or the Senate, except for revenue-related bills, which must start in the House. After introduction, each bill moves through committee hearings, amendments, debate, and eventually votes in both chambers. A bill that passes both chambers in matching form goes to the president, who may sign or veto it. Congress uses two-year numbered terms, each divided by annual sessions. The legislative process details and bill records are managed by the U.S. Congress and published via Congress.gov.

Gwendolynne S. Moore, representing Wisconsin, has served in Congress since Jan. 3, 2005, after her election as a Democrat to the One Hundred Ninth Congress and each one since. She earned a B.A. from Marquette University in 1978 and previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1989-1992) and the Wisconsin State Senate (1993-2004), becoming president pro tempore from 1997 to 1998.