Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act
Summary
The "Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act" (H.R. 6442) aims to amend Title IV of the Social Security Act. It seeks to establish a requirement for biological fathers to contribute to the medical expenses incurred during pregnancy and delivery. The bill mandates that fathers cover at least 50% of reasonable out-of-pocket medical costs, provided the mother requests such support.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would place a new financial responsibility on biological fathers. States would need to establish and enforce child support obligations related to pregnancy and delivery medical expenses. The Act explicitly clarifies that expenses related to abortion are not considered medical expenses under this provision.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces the financial burden on pregnant mothers.
- Could improve access to prenatal care.
- May promote greater paternal responsibility.
- Could decrease reliance on public assistance programs for pregnancy-related medical costs.
- May lead to healthier pregnancies and births.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could create financial strain on some biological fathers.
- May increase legal disputes regarding paternity and expenses.
- Potential for administrative challenges in establishing and enforcing these obligations.
- The 50% requirement may not adequately cover all costs in some cases.
- Could disproportionately affect low-income fathers.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to support the health and well-being of pregnant women and children. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but this bill operates by amending the Social Security Act, which falls under Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).