The American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law in March 2021, included a five-year Medicaid state option for pregnant women to provide 12 months of postpartum care. L.A. Care Health Plan, the largest publicly operated plan in the country, has joined a coalition of more than a dozen Medicaid managed care organizations (MCO) and Medicaid MCO trade associations from across the nation in urging Congress to pass legislation that would make the state option permanent. The House passed such legislation last year, but the Senate never voted on the measure.
The coalition sent a letter to Congressional Leadership, saying a permanent state option would improve health equity and address health disparities in maternal mortality. A recent CDC report showed Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. Research has shown the importance of maintaining the continuity of care in improving postpartum health outcomes.
In 2019, California passed legislation extending maternal mental health care to one year after the birth of a child instead of the previous 60 days. The American Rescue Plan provision is not limited to mental health care. It includes 12 months of coverage for conditions that contribute to a significant share of pregnancy-related deaths, such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension, which can require care over a longer period. It also promotes continuity and access to preventive services such as contraception.
Signing this letter aligns with L.A. Care’s commitment to advancing health equity for our members. The Medicaid state option for 12 months of postpartum health coverage will help address disparities, and ultimately will reduce maternal mortality. Why would we want this important coverage to end after five years? Twelve months of postpartum health coverage should be a permanent benefit.