Bill Would Make Postpartum Medicaid Extension Mandatory
Source: U.S. News and World Report
U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley wants to take a maternal health Medicaid provision passed in the most recent COVID-19 relief bill a step further by making a postpartum coverage extension mandatory.
The Massachusetts Democrat on Thursday plans to introduce the COVID-19 Safe Birthing Act, which is aimed at improving maternal health outcomes during and after the pandemic. Among other provisions, the measure would require states to allow low-income people who become eligible for Medicaid coverage during pregnancy to stay covered up to one year after giving birth.
Currently, many low-income people who become eligible for Medicaid while pregnant can lose coverage two months after giving birth. The American Rescue Plan passed in March included a provision providing an easier pathway for states to adopt a Medicaid extension for postpartum people starting next year, which some states appear ready to take advantage of. The Biden administration also recently approved a first-in-the-nation waiver allowing Illinois to extend coverage through 2025.
Pressley, however, wants to make such an extension mandatory, a position shared by many maternal health advocates and recommended to Congress earlier this year by its Medicaid advisers. Other lawmakers also have signaled support for such a policy: A bill that passed the House last year with mainly Democratic support would have made the extension mandatory as well, but was never voted on in the Senate.
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bill-would-make-postpartum-medicaid-extension-mandatory/ar-BB1fH19k?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=DELLDHP
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