​"Momnibus" Health Legislation Package signed into law by Governor Abigail Spanberger following bipartisan passage in the Virginia General Assembly

By Eric Silber

The legislation is designed to improve maternal healthcare outcomes, expand access to services, and address disparities in maternal health across the Commonwealth.
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The package consists of several bills sponsored by multiple members of the General Assembly, including Delegate Margaret Franklin, Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling, and Delegate Laura Jane Cohen. Legislative leaders and members of the Virginia Black Maternal Health Caucus were involved in advancing the measures during the 2026 session. 

The Momnibus legislation includes several major components:

• HB 1400 expands access to maternal mental health screenings during and after pregnancy.
• HB 1403 directs the Virginia Department of Health to improve reporting and tracking of Severe Maternal Morbidity, a category of unexpected and potentially life-threatening pregnancy complications.
• HB 425 expands Medicaid reimbursement for remote patient monitoring of high-risk pregnancies, allowing eligible patients to receive certain forms of monitoring outside traditional clinical settings.
• HB 1353 directs state health officials to evaluate the creation of a broader statewide maternal health safety initiative. 

Supporters of the package argued that Virginia must continue addressing maternal mortality and maternal morbidity, particularly among populations that experience higher rates of pregnancy-related complications. Advocates pointed to data showing that the United States continues to experience maternal health outcomes that lag behind many other developed nations and argued that earlier intervention, better data collection, and expanded access to care can improve outcomes for mothers and infants. 

The legislation received bipartisan support in the General Assembly and was signed without the amendment disputes or veto controversies that accompanied some other major healthcare and economic legislation considered during the session. 
 
In remarks at the bill signing ceremony, Governor Spanberger described the package as part of a broader effort to improve healthcare access for mothers throughout Virginia. Legislative supporters similarly characterized the bills as a continuation of previous efforts to address maternal health challenges and strengthen support systems for families across the Commonwealth. 

​The new laws are expected to be implemented through a combination of Department of Health initiatives, Medicaid policy changes, healthcare provider participation, and future reporting requirements established by state agencies. ​