SMFM Special Statement: The Affordable Care Act's foundation of coverage: essential health benefits are essential

Beginning in January 2014, the Affordable Care Act(ACA) required that all health insurance plans offered by individual and small-group markets, public and private health-care exchanges, and Medicaid include a comprehensive package of essential health benefits (EHBs) and be certified as having them. At a minimum, according to the law and subsequent US Department of Health and HumanServices guidance, EHBs must include items and services in10 categories, one of which is maternity and newborn care.