Postpartum Lifeline Act
Sponsored By: Senator Ruben Gallego
Introduced
Summary
12-month continuous, full-benefit postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage would guarantee pregnant people continuous full health benefits through pregnancy and for 12 months after birth. The bill aligns Medicaid and CHIP rules nationwide and sets a phased-in schedule so states have extra time to implement the change.
Show full summary
- Families and new parents: Pregnant individuals would retain full Medicaid or CHIP benefits during pregnancy and for 12 months postpartum, reducing coverage gaps and improving continuity of care for the postpartum year.
- States: States would need to change Medicaid and CHIP eligibility and enrollment rules to provide the guaranteed 12-month postpartum benefit, following a nationwide phase-in with a long lead time for implementation.
- Programs and providers: Medicaid and CHIP would treat the postpartum year as an uninterrupted, guaranteed benefit, standardizing coverage across the two programs and aiming to simplify administration for providers.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Longer Medicaid and CHIP postpartum coverage
If enacted, the bill would require State Medicaid and CHIP plans to provide full medical care during pregnancy and for 12 months afterward. The 12-month postpartum period would start on the last day of the pregnancy and end on the last day of the month that contains the 12-month anniversary. It would also remove a rule that limited some people in pregnancy-only Medicaid to pregnancy-related services so they could get broader care. The changes would take effect on the first day of the first calendar quarter that begins on or after one year after enactment. States may choose an earlier quarter to start or get extra time if they need new state laws.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ruben Gallego
AZ • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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