The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced New York would extend comprehensive coverage for postpartum people through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for a full year.
The CMS Maternity Care Action Plan supports the Biden-Harris Maternal Health Blueprint, a comprehensive plan to improve maternal health, particularly in marginalized regions, according to a June 13 news release. This plan has made significant progress.
“New York’s decision to extend postpartum coverage for a full year after pregnancy marks a significant milestone for improving maternal health," U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the release. "The Biden-Harris administration has demonstrated leadership in confronting the nation’s maternal mortality and morbidity crisis, and HHS will continue to support policies and programs that help ensure the health of mothers and babies."
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023, which President Joe Biden signed into law earlier this year, made the extended coverage permanent and made New York the 35th state to receive approval, the release reported. It was made possible by Biden's American Rescue Plan.
“New York’s efforts reflect the groundswell of support for setting families on firm footing by extending postpartum coverage to a full year after pregnancy,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said in the release. “The Biden-Harris administration has prioritized maternal health and will continue to do so until all 50 states and every U.S. territory can offer pregnant women and their families the lifeline that comes with connections to health coverage.”
With this news, up to 26,000 more New Yorkers will be qualified for Medicaid for a full year following pregnancy, the release reported. Half of all children in the nation and 41% of all births are covered by Medicaid. The extended postpartum coverage is now available to an estimated 509,000 Americans in 35 states and the District of Columbia thanks to the passage of New York’s plan.
If all states choose this option, Medicaid and CHIP coverage would be ensured for 12 months following pregnancy for up to 720,000 persons nationwide, according to the release.
The ARP and other Biden-Harris administration initiatives have helped to reduce the uninsured rate to historic lows, the release reported. The Biden-Harris administration has made increasing access to high-quality, affordable health care a primary priority. An essential component of these initiatives is expanding postpartum coverage under Medicaid and CHIP.
