The rising number of maternal deaths in the state is alarming. According to recent data, pregnancy-related deaths increased by more than 20% from 2019 to 2020.
The Wolf administration, hoping to curb those numbers, has introduced a new extension to Medicaid that will help new mothers. Effective April 1, 2022, under the American Rescue Plan Act, Pennsylvania extended the Medicaid postpartum coverage period for mothers and birthing workers. They are eligible for the program from their pregnancy to one year following the birth of a baby.
“Consistent postpartum care is a matter of life or death,” said Department of Human Services acting Secretary Meg Snead.
But for many years, women in Pennsylvania receiving Medicaid had just 60 days after delivery to receive that critical care.
Now that’s changed.
“We anticipate about 10,000 women will benefit every year from 60 to 365 days,” said Snead.
From two months to one entire year is a step that the Wolf administration felt was necessary.
Medicaid covers four in 10 births nationally and about three in 10 in Pennsylvania. Medicaid was the primary payer in Pennsylvania in about 53% of pregnancy-associated deaths, and nearly 60% of all pregnancy-associated deaths came between six weeks and one year after giving birth, largely outside of the previous 60-day limitation on coverage.
“My sister experienced postpartum psychosis after my second niece was born, and she’s fine, and so is my niece,” said Snead. “But had she been a low-income woman on Medicaid, none of the services that saved her life would have been covered,” added Snead.
Any mom can be touched by postpartum complications, from Snead sharing her sister’s journey, to the Healthy Start Inc. program CEO sharing her own story.
“I remember 20 years ago being in graduate school and being pregnant and relying on Medicaid insurance,” said Jada Shirriel, the CEO of Healthy Start Inc.
Sharnay Hearn Davis gave birth just three weeks ago to her second child. She was recently unemployed during the pandemic. Her baby is now healthy, but was diagnosed with jaundice.
“My anxiety this time around was higher than it was during my first pregnancy,” said Davis.
As someone who has worked in the social justice field, she knew Black women are three times more likely to die after giving birth than white women. So, she knew taking care of herself and her baby would be key.
That is why she is celebrating this move.
“There are so many different layers that no matter the circumstances, just having that extra support is crucial,” said Davis.
The program is a temporary extension under the American Rescue Plan that will provide this coverage for moms for the next five years or until federal legislation is passed.
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