Texas Legislature Passes Bill That Extends Postpartum Medicaid Coverage
Other state Medicaid news comes out of Missouri, South Dakota and Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Politico reports that Democrats are pushing a new federal program that would extend coverage to those in holdout red states.
The Texas Tribune:
Texas Legislature Extends Medicaid Coverage For New Moms
The Texas Legislature passed on Friday a bill that would ensure mothers on Medicaid have health coverage for six months postpartum — a measure intended to reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate, and offer a lifeline to moms grappling with postpartum depression or other health complications in the half-year after giving birth. The bill would add an extra four months of health insurance for low-income women, who now get Medicaid coverage from pregnancy until two months after delivery. (Najmabadi, 5/28)
Fox 4 Kansas City:
Three Moms Sue Missouri Over Medicaid Expansion
Three single moms are suing the state of Missouri after the governor decided not to expand Medicaid. But the lawsuit could impact thousands of Missourians. After the General Assembly voted not to fund Medicaid expansion earlier this month, Gov. Mike Parson said there was no way the state could expand. In less than three weeks, the lawsuit will be in front of the judge who will rule if Missouri has to cover those making less than $18,000 a year. (Manley, 5/28)
Forbes:
South Dakota Is Medicaid Expansion’s Next Red State Target
South Dakota is the next Republican-leaning state to be targeted for Medicaid expansion by a group that has already put together a half dozen other successful ballot campaigns to extend healthcare coverage to poor Americans. The Fairness Project, working with Medicaid expansion supporters in South Dakota, says more than 40,000 people would gain healthcare coverage and the state could save tens of millions of dollars thanks to funding in the American Rescue Plan Act. (Japsen, 6/1)
Politico:
Democrats Plot Medicaid Expansion Backdoor In Red States Refusing Program
Democratic lawmakers are rallying around an effort to extend health insurance in states that have refused to expand Medicaid, believing they have a limited window to help millions who’ve been unable to get coverage because of intractable GOP opposition to the Obamacare program. Democrats had hoped that President Joe Biden’s election, along with the promise of new federal cash from the recent Covid relief package for states to expand Medicaid, would move at least some of the dozen remaining holdout states. But there’s little indication those states are budging, which is energizing a push among Democratic lawmakers for a new federal program guaranteeing coverage for low-income adults long shut out of Medicaid expansion. (Roubein and Luthi, 5/29)
Oklahoman:
Oklahoma Medicaid: How To Apply, Eligibility And What's Changing
Oklahomans eligible for health coverage through Medicaid expansion can begin applying for benefits Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know about who’s eligible and how to apply. Last year, Oklahoma voters passed State Question 802, which expanded Medicaid eligibility to include many low-income adults. Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, called SoonerCare, has covered children, pregnant women, elderly adults and disabled people. Under the expanded eligibility guidelines, over 200,000 more people will be eligible for coverage, according to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which oversees the program. (Branham, 6/1)
