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Dear Friend,
“If I wasn't accepted for Medicaid, I honestly have no idea what I would do… I experienced postpartum depression after having my daughter. It was hard, but medical bills weren't a worry of mine because I was blessed with covered healthcare. I feel thankful for everything I have and everything that's to come.” - MomsRising member in Mesa, AZ
Quick signature: Tell Congress to make 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage permanent. *When you click, you’ll automatically sign on if we already have your information.
Medicaid plays a critical role in making sure pregnant people have health care coverage, covering nearly half of all births in the United States. This health insurance program is especially important for people of color, covering two-thirds of Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander births. [1] However, for many people, coverage ends just 60 days after giving birth.
Mental health is a common pregnancy-related struggle affecting up to a quarter of people who have recently given birth, with a higher instance among low-income people, who are more likely to be covered by Medicaid or CHIP. [2] Access to mental health services is critically important for the well-being of the birthing person, their children, and family. Insurance increases a person’s ability to access mental health care, so it is especially important for people to have health insurance after giving birth. Research has found that postpartum depression can last years after giving birth. [3] However, up until recently, Medicaid coverage was only required for 60 days postpartum. This means that for a lot of people, coverage is being taken away right when they need it most.
What’s happening? The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 gave states the option to extend the postpartum coverage period for Medicaid and CHIP from 60 days following pregnancy to a full year, starting in April of this year. However, this important new provision that helps make sure birthing parents have the health care they need—including mental health care—during their child’s first year of life, is currently only available to states for five years. [4] We have the opportunity to make this option permanent, we just need Congress to take action!
Add your name: Tell Congress to make 12 months of postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage permanent!
When you click, you’ll automatically sign on to our letter that reads:
Dear Congress,
We are writing to urge you to make the option for states to offer 12 months of postpartum health coverage through Medicaid and CHIP permanent. It is critical for birthing parents to have access to affordable medical care during the first year of their child’s life.
Ensuring 12 months of continuous coverage after the birth of a child will improve maternal health, support maternal mental health, ensure coverage stability, and help to address racial disparities in maternal health. In addition, making the policy permanent will encourage more states to adopt the 12 month provision.
The more people who speak out, the bigger our impact. Please take a moment to forward our action link to your friends and family, and to share it on social media: https://action.momsrising.org/sign/mmh_2022
Together we are a powerful voice for the health of families.
- Felicia, Tina, Donna, Kristin and the whole MomsRising / MamásConPoder team
P.S. We want to hear about your postpartum experience! Share your story.
[1] Kaiser Family Foundation, Medicaid Initiatives to Improve Maternal and Infant Health and Address Racial Disparities
[2] Health Affairs, Medicaid Expansion Associated With Some Improvements In Perinatal Mental Health
[3] National Institutes of Health, Postpartum depression may last for years
[4] Kaiser Family Foundation, Postpartum Coverage Extension in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
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