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Today @macpacgov voted to recommend that Congress extend #Medicaid and CHIP coverage for a year #postpartum with the Federal govt picking up 100% of cost. This would be a game changer to many, esp. people who live in states that haven't expanded Medicaid. https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/expanding-postpartum-medicaid-coverage/
These states extend coverage to pregnant people at much higher income levels to cover prenatal care % childbirth, but then make it nearly impossible for them to qualify for Medicaid when they are parents-60 days after baby is born (the baby, incidentally is covered for 12 months)
And because the ACA only permits those with incomes ABOVE 100% of the poverty level to qualify for ACA insurance subsidies, in states that don't expand Medicaid, new moms have NO PATHWAY to affordable coverage if their income is greater than the state income level for parents.
Let me make it more real for you.
A Texas postpartum mom with a household income GREATER than 17% of the federal poverty level ($3,692/family of 3 in 2020) and LESS than $21,720, can't qualify for Medicaid or get subsidies for an ACA plan.
A Texas postpartum mom with a household income GREATER than 17% of the federal poverty level ($3,692/family of 3 in 2020) and LESS than $21,720, can't qualify for Medicaid or get subsidies for an ACA plan.
If these states wanted to cover new moms TODAY, they could expand Medicaid under ACA or extend eligibility to parents of dependent kids to 100%FPL (like WI). Otherwise the only path is federal law, like there is for infants and pregnant people. https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/fact-sheet/analysis-of-federal-bills-to-strengthen-maternal-health-care/
