TEXAS — Texas lawmakers are split over how long to extend Medicaid coverage to new moms.
The House wants to expand it from 60 days to one year a priority, but the Senate wants to cut that in half.
“About over 50% of births in Texas are covered by Medicaid,” said Katie Mitten, Health Policy Associate with Texans Care For Children. “We’re talking about a lot of women that could benefit from this extended coverage.”
Representative Toni Rose filed House Bill 133, which extends how long new mothers can be covered by Medicaid after giving birth. It’s one of the Texas House’s top legislative priorities this session.
“A lot of women were dying at alarming rates, especially African American women, and a lot of these deaths were preventable had they just had access to health care,” said Rep. Rose, (D) District 110.
Currently in Texas, Medicaid only covers new moms for up to 60 days after childbirth, which many doctors and healthcare advocates say isn’t enough.
RELATED STORY: Texas Senate considers lower chamber’s priority bill to expand Medicaid for new moms
“There was a recent study of maternal morbidity and mortality that demonstrated that of women who have challenges with their health after giving birth, a substantial portion happened after the 60-day window of coverage that had previously existed and exists today,” said Dr. Debra Patt, Chair of the Texas Medical Association’s Council on Legislation.
“Postpartum depression to severe blood clots, and other cardiac issues, including heart failure, these are all things that moms experience up to a year postpartum,” said Mitten.
As it passed out of the House, the bill would have extended Medicaid coverage for new moms for up to a year, but that was slashed to six months in a Senate committee. House Republicans who voted against the bill in the lower chamber had attributed their opposition, in part, to the price tag of the bill, which is estimated to be around $84 million.
“Six months of coverage is obviously better than the status quo, but 12 months of coverage is what the state’s maternal mortality Review Committee recommends,” said Mitten.
Rose filed the same legislation last legislative session, where it died in the Senate. Seeing the changes made to the bill this time around, she says, was bittersweet.
“I was disappointed that it had been changed, but I was also very optimistic and feel great that it was moving,” said Rose.
Now, the bill awaits a debate and vote on the Senate floor before it can make it to the governor’s desk.
“I think the bill will pass, and I think the language that we’re putting in, six months is something that the Senate will support,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in an interview with Capital Tonight’s Karina Kling last Friday.
“It’s a great step for Texas. It’s a huge win for women to get this bill across the finish line,” said Rose.