Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 10, 2020 09:22 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Judith L. Schwank |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Medicaid Expansion for Postpartum Women |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that seeks to expand Medicaid for Postpartum Women. In Pennsylvania, pregnancy-related Medicaid eligibility ends 60 days postpartum. As such, many women are left without coverage and are at a greater risk of losing access to critical health services during a time of unmet maternal health needs. By extending Medicaid coverage, health issues that are of high risk to mothers can be addressed, and the number of preventable maternal deaths can be reduced. States that have already extended Medicaid coverage for postpartum women under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have experienced a 50 percent greater reduction in infant mortality than states that have not. This legislation would require the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to apply for a waiver that would extend Medicaid coverage for pregnancy-related and postpartum medical assistance for up to an additional ten months. This will ensure mothers continue to have access to the necessary services and support for both themselves and their children. This bill is a companion bill to legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Morgan Cephus. Please join me in sponsoring this legislation |