H.R. 8716 — Blood Pressure MATTERS Act

This section requires Medicaid coverage of self-measured blood pressure monitoring for pregnant and postpartum individuals, defined as one validated blood pressure measurement device furnished during pregnancy and the 12-month period beginning on the last day of pregnancy (or longer for individuals eligible under section 1902(e)(5) or (16)), without regard to a hypertensive disorder diagnosis. The device must be usable by the individual without a health care provider, cleared under section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and listed as validated on the American Medical Association’s Validated Device Listing website. The section mandates this coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A), prohibits cost sharing, applies the requirement to benchmark and benchmark-equivalent plans beginning 120 days after enactment (with an exception if state legislation is required), and makes conforming changes to section 1916 and section 1916A. This section also requires states electing to provide pregnancy-related assistance under CHIP to cover self-measured blood pressure monitoring for targeted low-income pregnant women in accordance with the Medicaid definition, effective 120 days after enactment (with a parallel state legislation exception).