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We are excited to share that the House has passed the Helping MOMS Act to extend Medicaid to a full 12 months postpartum. While we applaud this historic bipartisan action as an opportunity to position us for broader and more robust policy change, we believe it doesn't go far enough.
As COVID-19 ravages state budgets, we are concerned that the present iteration of the bill provides no increase in federal matching rate. Not doing so will mean that the maternity care system in the United States will continue failing to meet families' needs.
Nearly one-quarter of maternal deaths happen more than six weeks postpartum - with new mothers facing a wide range of medical challenges. Currently, Medicaid only covers women for eight weeks after the birth of a child. The cutoff exposes new mothers to a health insurance cliff - especially in states without Medicaid expansion.
The Helping MOMS Act would enable states to use a state plan amendment to extend Medicaid coverage for new moms through one year postpartum and receive Federal funds to support that. Imagine how much relief this extension would provide not only to new mothers but to entire families and communities.
Read the full letter we sent to the Hill together with our partners and help us get the word out. Your support makes it possible for us to amplify our messages and build a coalition of maternal health advocates like you.
Thank you,
March for Moms
March for Moms is a non-partisan, 501 ©(3) non-profit that aligns the diverse voices of families, health care providers, policymakers, and partners to advocate for mothers and families’ health, well-being and equal access to care.
