Massachusetts Proposed Expanding Nurse Home Visit Program
The state aims to offer new parents more access to expert support with a $2 million investment in the Welcome Family program.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Child Care
Live Poll
Do you support state-funded home visits by nurses for new parents in your community?
Governor Maura Healey has proposed a $2 million expansion of the Welcome Family program, which provides a free, one-time nurse home visit to new parents. This initiative seeks to increase accessibility for families across Massachusetts, where approximately 68,000 births occur annually.
Why it matters
The proposal aims to bolster maternal health and provide essential guidance on newborn care after discharge. It builds upon a 2024 legislative directive to make these professional health resources available to all families who request them throughout the state.
The Welcome Family program, which launched in 2013 and is currently supported by federal Health Resources and Services Administration contracts, serves 3,000 families annually. The proposed expansion would scale this model to meet the needs of all interested parents across Massachusetts.
The players
Maura Healey
The Governor of Massachusetts who filed the spending bill to increase funding for maternal health home visits.
Health Resources and Services Administration
A federal agency that currently provides the financial contracts supporting the existing home visit program.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
The hospital facility that hosted the official announcement regarding the proposed program expansion.
The details
The Welcome Family model centers on a single post-birth home visit conducted by a registered nurse. During this visit, the nurse offers professional guidance on infant care, health screenings, and maternal recovery support to new parents in their own home environment. The proposed $2 million allocation would allow the state to transition the program from its current limited capacity to an opt-in system available to any Massachusetts family who requests a visit.
Timeline
The Welcome Family program originally launched in 2013.
A bipartisan maternal health bill directed a statewide expansion in 2024.
Governor Healey publicized the expansion proposal on September 15, 2026.
Healey discussed the initiative on Boston Public Radio on September 16, 2026.
Health Landscape
This proposal reflects a state-level commitment to formalizing postpartum care beyond the traditional clinical setting. It follows the mandate set by the 2024 Massachusetts maternal health bill, which prioritized expanding access to professional guidance for families in the weeks following birth.
If you are expecting a baby in Massachusetts, this proposal could increase your access to professional postnatal support if the funding is secured. Speak with your healthcare provider during your prenatal visits about the types of home-based resources that may be available to you.
The takeaway
The proposed expansion aims to make postnatal nursing support available to any family in Massachusetts who requests it. New parents should monitor state health department updates to see when expanded home visit services may become available in their local community.
Further reading
For more information on state resources for new parents, visit our Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBUR 90.9 mHz.
Live Poll
Do you support state-funded home visits by nurses for new parents in your community?
