AT THE CAPITOL Texas to o er low-income moms one year of Medicaid coverage
2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION
WHAT’S CHANGING House Bill 12, which would expand Medicaid coverage for new mothers, awaits Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature. Texas currently o ers 2 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage. The bill would give mothers:
BY HANNAH NORTON
implement or apply for the 12-month extension, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The legislation prevents women who receive abortions from qualify- ing for the extended coverage. “Out of the state’s profound respect for the lives of mothers and unborn children, Medicaid coverage
Low-income Texas mothers may soon receive Medicaid coverage for up to a year after childbirth and six months after a miscarriage. The Texas House approved House Bill 12 with a 134-9 vote and a round of applause on May 28. The Senate passed the bill unanimously the same day. The bill was
Up to 12 months of Medicaid coverage after childbirth
Up to six months of Medicaid coverage after a miscarriage Someone who receives a voluntary abortion would not be eligible for coverage.
“THIS COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE WILL SAVE LIVES AND ENSURE CHILDREN GROW UP WITH THEIR MOTHERS.” REP. TONI ROSE, D DALLAS, THE AUTHOR OF HOUSE BILL 12
is extended for mothers whose pregnancies end in the delivery of the child or end in the natural loss of the child,” the bill reads.
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE COMMUNITY IMPACT
proposed by Rep. Toni Rose, D Dal- las, during the regular legislative session. Gov. Greg Abbott
Expanding coverage to 12 months is a top recommendation of the Texas Maternal Mortality and Mor- bidity Review Committee, which documented high rates of maternal deaths and severe complications in its biennial report in December. According to the committee, at least 118 Texas women died while pregnant or within one year after
childbirth in 2019. The report notes that 90% of those deaths were preventable. The House approved a similar proposal, also by Rose, during the 2021 legislative session, but the Senate cut coverage to six months. The measure was not approved by the federal government, as it did not meet federal guidelines.
signed the bill June 18 and it went into e ect immediately. The federal government can now approve or deny Texas’ extension. Texas is the 43rd state to
Texas currently o ers two months of postpartum Medicaid coverage. Beyond prenatal care, Medicaid covers checkups and other services for mothers and babies.
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NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • JUNE 2023
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