HI SR156

Urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to amend federal policies requiring a 30-day waiting period between consent and postpartum sterilization surgery for Medicaid recipients.

Notes that privately insured individuals are not subject to the 30-day waiting period, creating a two-tiered system that restricts reproductive autonomy based on insurance status.

Cites a study showing 56% of postpartum sterilization requests from publicly insured participants went unfulfilled, with over two-thirds of denials attributed to Medicaid consent form issues.

Identifies that nearly half of individuals with unfulfilled sterilization requests became pregnant within one year, resulting in substantial emotional, physical, and financial costs to families and the healthcare system.

Directs transmission of certified copies to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.