Overview
Title
To amend title IV of the Social Security Act to establish requirements for biological fathers to pay child support for medical expenses incurred during pregnancy and delivery.
ELI5 AI
S. 3485 is a bill that wants dads to help pay for half of the doctors' bills when a mom is having a baby, but it doesn't include payments if the mom chooses to end the pregnancy.
Summary AI
S. 3485 proposes changes to the Social Security Act that would require biological fathers to cover at least 50% of the reasonable out-of-pocket medical costs related to pregnancy and childbirth, as long as the mother requests this support. The bill clarifies that these costs do not include those related to abortions. It would take effect the year after it becomes law, although states needing legislative adjustments can delay compliance until after their first regular legislative session concludes.
Published
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AnalysisAI
The Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act of 2023 seeks to amend the Social Security Act with new requirements for biological fathers to contribute financially to medical expenses incurred by the mother during pregnancy and delivery. Introduced by Senator Rubio, the bill mandates that fathers pay at least 50% of such costs upon the mother's request. However, the legislation specifically excludes expenses related to abortions from this financial obligation. The enactment of these requirements is scheduled for the year following the bill's official passage, though some states may need additional time to amend their laws accordingly.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill raises several concerns, both procedural and conceptual. First, it lacks a clear definition of what constitutes "reasonable" out-of-pocket medical expenses. This lack of clarity could lead to disputes over what expenses are covered and the extent of the father's financial obligations, potentially causing inconsistencies in enforcement.
Additionally, the legislation doesn't address the challenge of identifying the biological father in every situation. This omission might obstruct the bill's enforceability, which could result in some mothers not receiving the intended financial support.
The bill also explicitly excludes abortion-related expenses from the financial responsibility of the father. This exclusion is controversial and could conflict with certain state laws that may define medical expenses more broadly, leading to possible legal challenges.
Moreover, the language used to describe the types of expenses—such as health insurance premiums and cost-sharing—can be technical and confusing for those without a background in insurance.
Lastly, there's ambiguity regarding the timeline for states to comply with the new requirements, particularly if state legislation is necessary for implementation. This uncertainty could delay the bill's effects and result in uneven application across different states.
Broad Public Impact
If enacted, this bill could hold biological fathers more accountable for the financial aspects of pregnancy, potentially easing the economic burden on mothers. By sharing in the costs, the bill intends to promote fairness and shared responsibility. However, due to the areas of ambiguity and controversy highlighted, the impact might vary significantly depending on interpretations and local state laws, leading to varied experiences for families nationwide.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For pregnant women, especially those facing economic hardship, this legislation could offer significant financial relief if successfully enforced. Mothers who might otherwise bear the entire cost of pregnancy-related healthcare may benefit from reduced personal expenditure, contributing to their overall well-being.
Biological fathers, on the other hand, will be required to shoulder financial responsibilities during the pregnancy phase, marking a significant shift in traditionally post-birth child support obligations. While this promotes shared responsibility, it also imposes an additional financial commitment that some fathers may struggle to meet.
Healthcare providers and attorneys might experience an increase in inquiries and disputes regarding medical expenses, as individuals seek clarification on what qualifies as "reasonable" under the bill's provisions. States will need to evaluate and potentially enact legislation to fully align with the requirements, adding another layer of responsibility to state legislative bodies.
In sum, the Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act of 2023 aims to ensure equitable financial contributions from both parents during pregnancy. Still, its practical application relies heavily on how its provisions are clarified, enforced, and interpreted across different jurisdictions.
Issues
The definition of 'reasonable' out-of-pocket medical expenses in Section 2 might lead to legal disputes or inconsistencies in enforcement, as the lack of definition could affect how much fathers are required to pay, impacting both parents financially and legally.
The bill in Section 2 does not address the problem of identifying the biological father, which could hinder the enforceability of the child support obligation, leaving some mothers without financial support for medical expenses during pregnancy and delivery.
Section 2(b) includes an exception for expenses associated with abortion, which could be controversial and may conflict with state laws that have more expansive definitions of medical expenses, potentially leading to legal challenges.
The technical and complex language in Section 2 regarding terms like 'health insurance premiums,' 'cost sharing,' and 'related out-of-pocket expenses' could cause confusion for those unfamiliar with insurance terminology, leading to misunderstandings about obligations.
The condition in Section 2(c)(2) regarding state compliance might be seen as ambiguous, creating uncertainty about the timeline required for states to enact necessary legislation, which could delay implementation and affect compliance across different states.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill establishes its short title, stating that it can be referred to as the “Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act of 2023.”
2. Requiring biological fathers to pay child support for medical expenses incurred during pregnancy and delivery Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires biological fathers to pay at least half of the mother's medical expenses related to pregnancy and delivery if the mother requests it. It clarifies that these expenses do not include costs related to an abortion and states that the new requirements will start in the year following the bill's enactment, with possible delays if states need to pass new laws to comply.