From Moms Rising (https://www.momsrising.org/):
“I had to rely on Medicaid for myself and my then-toddler. It was a very difficult time for me. I was sick during the majority of my pregnancy, and without Medicaid and being able to pick the doctor of my choice, I am not sure I would have been able to maintain medical coverage and cost for my family.” -Jessica, Indianapolis, IN
“Receiving prenatal care through Medicaid was vital because of an Rh factor—otherwise I could have miscarried and never would have known why.” -Rachel, Minneapolis, MN
As millions around the nation gather together next week to celebrate the holiday season, too many families will be facing the holidays missing a loved one who lost their life due to our nation’s maternal health crisis. What’s the deal? Right now, the United States is the most dangerous place to give birth in the developed world, [1] with major racial disparities where Black women die at 3 to 4 times the rate of white women due to maternity-related causes, independent of age, economic background, or education. [2]
But, it doesn’t have to be this way. It is estimated that 60% of maternal deaths could be prevented by improved access to health care. [3] With about half the births in the United States currently covered by Medicaid [4], expanding Medicaid to cover the critical postpartum period while recovering from pregnancy and childbirth is a key part of the solution to our nation’s maternal health crisis.
Sign on now at https://action.momsrising.org/sign/Helping_Moms_Act_12512 to tell your members of Congress to support the Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2019 (H.R. 4996) aka the Helping MOMS Act!
What would the Helping MOMS Act do? This bill would incentivize states to extend Medicaid to cover the entire postpartum period and invest in maternal health. Currently, the majority of pregnancy-related deaths in America happen after the day of delivery, and nearly one-quarter of deaths happen more than six weeks postpartum. [5] Yet, despite the life-threatening risks that women face in the postpartum period, Medicaid currently only covers women for two months after the birth of their baby. [6] Extending Medicaid coverage would be a crucial lifeline and lifesaver for many birthing people and their babies. [7]
Research has shown that Medicaid expansion is associated with a reduction in maternal and infant mortality [8]. Further, states that expand Medicaid improve the health of women of childbearing age by increasing access to preventive care, reducing adverse health outcomes before, during and after pregnancies, and reducing maternal mortality rates. [9] In addition, better health for women of childbearing age also means better health for their infants. States that have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act saw a 50 percent greater reduction in infant mortality than non-expansion states. [10]
Raising your voice for this piece of legislation can make a critical difference when it comes to protecting the lives of pregnant and postpartum people. To move this bill into law before the holiday break, we urgently need YOUR help.
We hope you will join us to continue being a powerful, lifesaving voice for moms!
[1] NBC News. U.S. is the most dangerous place to give birth in the developed world. [2] US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. The Black–White Disparity in Pregnancy-Related Mortality From 5 Conditions: Differences in Prevalence and Case-Fatality Rates. [3] Vital Signs: Pregnancy-Related Deaths, United States, 2011–2015, and Strategies for Prevention, 13 States, 2013–2017. [4][7] Nearly Half Of U.S. Births Are Covered By Medicaid, Study Finds. [5][6] Underwood’s Bipartisan Legislation to Address America’s Maternal Mortality Crisis Passes the Energy and Commerce Committee. [8][9][10] Georgetown University Health Policy Institute Center for Children and Families. Medicaid Expansion Fills Gaps in Maternal Health Coverage Leading to Healthier Mothers and Babies.
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