Representative Lesser’s Pregnancy and Postpartum Medicaid Coverage bill (House Bill 220), makes two important changes to support the health of newborns and new parents in Utah: (1) raising Medicaid coverage for pregnant women up to 200% of the federal poverty level and (2) providing Medicaid coverage for twelve months after pregnancy.
Many children are born each year in Summit and Wasatch counties using Medicaid, which extends coverage for the mother automatically for 60 days postpartum. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allows states to extend this coverage to 12 months starting on April 1, 2022, for up to five years. Utah needs to pass HB 220 so that these new mothers are covered for the extended period and do not experience a gap in coverage during an essential time in their recovery and the life of their newborn.
Women who lose their Medicaid coverage at 60 days postpartum are left uninsured at a medically vulnerable time in their lives. According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, in the postpartum period, women are at increased risk of experiencing numerous life-threatening conditions including: eclampsia, infection, hemorrhage, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, mental health conditions, suicide, and overdose. In fact, the peak incidence of postpartum depression is 3-6 months postpartum and the peak incidence of self-harm is 9-12 months postpartum—past the 60-day Medicaid coverage window.
In addition to extending the postpartum Medicaid coverage period, HB220 will also increase the number of families who qualify for coverage. Twenty-five states have already increased the income level for pregnancy coverage and this would allow a single mother in Utah earning up to $27,180 per year to receive coverage.
Please contact your legislator and let him or her know how important it is for Utah to pass HB220 and increase Medicaid coverage relating to pregnancy and postpartum.