Medicaid and Moms: The Potential Impact of Extending Medicaid Coverage to Mothers for 1 Year After Delivery

Authors

Shetal Shah, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA. shahs2@wcmc.com.
Hayley Friedman, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

Journal of Perinatology

First Page

819

Last Page

824

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2022

Department

Pediatrics

Abstract

The American Rescue Plan provides a pathway for states to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage for low-income mothers through 12 months after delivery. Data suggests that extension of post-partum Medicaid coverage should improve access to outpatient health care services, increase healthcare utilization, improve chronic disease management for at-risk mothers, and reduce disparities in care for racial/ethnic groups over-represented in Medicaid. Opportunities to provide increased preventive care for perinatal mood disorders and smoking cessation also exist. Further, this policy may reduce the burden of late maternal mortality. While improved access to contraceptive service postpartum provides a potential mechanism by which birth outcomes may improve, the effect of this policy on NICU admission, low birth weight (LBW) infants, and preterm birth is unknown. We discuss possible birth, infant and maternal health outcomes which may result from this expansion, drawing on data from the 2010 Medicaid Expansion via the Affordable Care Act.

Recommended Citation

Shah, S., & Friedman, H. (2022). Medicaid and Moms: The Potential Impact of Extending Medicaid Coverage to Mothers for 1 Year After Delivery. Journal of Perinatology, 42 (6), 819-824. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01299-w