Some proposals aimed at reducing the number of uninsured Americans would use the tax system to subsidize the purchase of private health insurance. Lack of health insurance poses a particular problem for young families because of expenses associated with maternity care (i.e., prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care).

This Policy Brief analyzes the extent to which alternative health insurance tax credit proposals would improve coverage of maternity care and, where they fall short, suggests modifications. It does not consider the broader question of which proposals would be most effective in covering the uninsured in general.