Three House Members Introduce Bill to Expand CHIP Coverage to Pregnant Women and Newborns

Reps. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) and John Murtha (D-Pa.) introduced on July 24 a bill (HR 2610) that would provide federal funding for states to expand their Children's Health Insurance Programs to include pregnant women and their newborn babies. According to a press release, the bill aims to fill a "gaping hole" in health care coverage for low-income women by allowing them to receive coverage for prenatal and other health care through state CHIP programs, which currently do not cover pregnant women. Titled the "Mothers and Newborns Health Insurance Act of 2001," the measure would provide federal matching funds to states to expand their CHIP programs to pregnant women who meet income eligibility guidelines. After the women give birth, states could also "automatically enroll" their infants in CHIP for up to one year "to ensure proper health care" for the children after birth. Lowey said, "Too many pregnant mothers put their own health and the health of their children at risk because they cannot afford the high cost of prenatal care. This is simply unconscionable. We know that healthy pregnancies lead to healthy babies. Our bill just makes common sense" (Murtha release, 7/24).