SMFM Health Policy and Advocacy Update: March 2025

A Health Policy and Advocacy Update - March 2025

Thank you for your participation in the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s State Liaison Network (SLN). Our quarterly newsletter brings you the latest advocacy, policy, and public health updates, happenings, and actions from the Society.

Executive Action Tracker and Resources
Webinar Recording
State Liaisons in Action
SMFM Actions and Updates
State Happenings
Action Opportunities
SMFM and Partner Resources
What We're Reading

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EXECUTIVE ACTION TRACKER AND RESOURCES

Upon assuming office in mid-January 2025, the new Presidential administration began to pursue far-reaching policy changes that have impacted maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists and their patients. The ultimate effect of executive actions will depend on many factors, including how agency officials interpret and apply them and, in many cases, the decisions of federal courts after a challenge.

SMFM has launched three new resources to help you stay informed and help SMFM best advocate for you and your patients.

Executive Action Updates: This page, which will be updated frequently, provides timely updates on select executive orders, policy changes, and administrative actions relevant to our field.

Federal Guidance and Resources: Access federal clinical guidance documents relevant to maternal-fetal medicine practice that have previously been or are currently removed from federal websites.

Share Your Experiences: Please share how recent policy changes have affected or could affect your practice, patients, or research by filling out this form. You can also share your story directly with SMFM staff via a video call by scheduling a time here.

We encourage you to visit these pages regularly to stay up to date or share your experiences. Your advocacy and awareness are crucial as we navigate these evolving policies together. If you have questions or relevant information to share, please e-mail [email protected].

RECORDING: Washington, DC Update Webinar

Earlier this month, SMFM volunteer leaders and staff hosted a virtual convening to brief members on the latest policy updates from DC and discuss what they mean for your practice, patients, and research. If you were unable to join, we encourage you to watch a recording of the conversation.

STATE LIAISONS IN ACTION

Florida – Dr. Terri-Ann Bennett was featured in CBS News, where she shared her commitment to expanding access to maternal healthcare.

Georgia – Dr. Suchitra Chandrasekaran provided oral testimony at an event hosted by Senator Ossoff discussing the harms of Georgia's ban on abortion care. Additionally, Dr. Martina Badell provided oral testimony in opposition to HB.441.

Indiana – Dr. Caroline Rouse, alongside Dr. Caitlin Bernard, filed a lawsuit to stop the Indiana Department of Health from releasing individual terminated pregnancy records. Earlier this week, they were granted a preliminary injunction, blocking the state from releasing individual reports.

Massachusetts – Dr. Chloe Zera is working with advocates to pass An Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care (SD. 1742/HD. 2651), which seeks to expand access to abortion care throughout pregnancy.

Nebraska – Dr. Emily Patel was interviewed by the Nebraska Examiner on a bill that would require an in-person appointment with a physician before accessing medication abortion, as well as three to 14 days after.

New York – Dr. Erinma Ukoha has been advocating for the Maternal Health, Dignity, & Consent Act (A.860/S.845), which would ensure that pregnant and postpartum people have the opportunity to consent to drug, cannabis, or alcohol testing

Oregon – Dr. Aaron Caughey and his colleagues are working with state legislators and advocates to increase funding for the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative.

Texas – Dr. Lorie Harper was interviewed by ProPublica for a story outlining the soaring rates of sepsis following the state’s abortion ban.

Utah – Dr. Carly Dahl was interviewed by Prism about the impact of the state's abortion ban on her patients.

Have you been advocating for reproductive and perinatal health in your state? Share your work with SMFM by emailing Samantha Berg at [email protected].

SMFM ACTIONS AND UPDATES

SMFM continues to submit friend of the court briefs to protect access to health care services critical to our mission.

So far in 2025, we filed two amicus briefs in state Supreme Courts – Georgia and North Dakota – outlining the importance of access to abortion care. We also joined two federal briefs – in HHS v. Braidwood, we joined the medical and patient communities in support of preventive care services; in Purl v. HHS, we joined our partners at ACOG and outlined the importance and validity of the HIPAA Privacy Rule and 2024 Final Rule.

In addition to these amicus briefs, SMFM has supported legislative efforts in three states so far this year. We sent a letter of support to the Oregon Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health in support of SB 1039, which would provide additional funding to the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative. In Massachusetts, we endorsed An Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care (SD. 1742/HD. 2651), which seeks to expand access to abortion care throughout pregnancy. We also signed onto a letter of support in New York endorsing the Maternal Health, Dignity, & Consent Act (A.860/S.845), which would ensure that pregnant and postpartum people have the opportunity to consent to drug, cannabis, or alcohol testing.

STATE HAPPENINGS

Perinatal health advancements

In February, New York enacted A.1025, requiring the commissioner of health to develop guidance on incorporating maternal depression screenings into routine perinatal care. In Arkansas, HB.1427/SB.213 passed and became law, establishing the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act and amending existing law to improve maternal health. Among other changes, this law mandates Medicaid reimbursement for maternal depression screenings and implements presumptive eligibility for pregnant people.

Last week in North Dakota, the Governor signed HB.1069 into law to revise confidentiality and disclosure rules for autopsy reports and notes. Among other changes, this law added language to existing statute to ensure the state’s maternal mortality review committee can access autopsy reports.

Earlier this week in Virginia, a number of bills were enacted, including: HB.2109, which re-establishes the Task Force on Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures; HB.1929, which directs the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services to partner with a mobile pregnancy app to promote state programs for Medicaid-eligible individuals; and HB.2446, which establishes and funds a statewide campaign to increase awareness about perinatal and postpartum depression.

Celebrating abortion care wins

In February, New York enacted S.36A allowing prescriptions for mifepristone and misoprostol to include the practice name in place of the prescriber’s name. Last week, the state enacted A.5285, further amending this statute so that labels can include the practice name or address, and requiring patient notification if a prescriber has requested to use the name or address of their practice.

Monitoring abortion care bans and restrictions

As of March 21, 2025, 19 states have abortion bans up to 20 weeks gestation currently or soon to be in effect: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

12 of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia) have total bans.

For up to date information on state abortion policies, see resources from Abortion Finder, Guttmacher Institute and the New York Times. You can also track pending state legislation alongside SMFM staff on our Advocacy Hub .

TAKE ACTION

Track Policies and Submit a Request for Advocacy Support

Get more involved in advocacy in your state by tracking policies alongside SMFM staff and using our Request Support form to get assistance from Advocacy staff.

SMFM AND PARTNER RESOURCES

Advocacy Hub

Don't forget to utilize SMFM's Advocacy Hub! This is your one-stop shop for all things advocacy, providing all the information you need about SMFM’s advocacy priorities, activities and updates, and more. The Hub includes a state bill tracker that can help you monitor what is being proposed in your state, as well as an easy-to-use portal for you to request SMFM engagement and support for your advocacy efforts. You can also send your fellow SMFM members here to sign up for the State Liaison Network.

Society of Family Planning – Post-Dobbs Research Signal

The Post-Dobbs Research Signal is a list of published and in progress research on the impact of the Dobbs decision. As the reproductive health landscape rapidly evolves in the post-Dobbs period, it is important that public discourse is grounded in science. This document serves as a map to emerging evidence on the impact of the Dobbs decision.