The rate of women who died during pregnancy or shortly after birth increased significantly during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from the National Center for Health Statistics, and Black women continued to experience maternal death at rates more than twice the national average. In 2020, there were 861 women […]
CMS recently announced $49.4 million in outreach grants available to connect eligible children and parents to Medicaid and CHIP coverage, and for the first time, specifically included outreach to pregnant people as one of the target groups. This is an important step, both for reaching eligible but uninsured pregnant people, and for facilitating access to […]
A wide range of organizations, including state/local governments, tribal entities, safety net providers, non-profits, schools, and others, may apply for up to $1.5 million over three years to connect eligible people to Medicaid or CHIP under a new CMS funding opportunity. A total of $49.4 million in funding will build on efforts initiated by the […]
It seems that every week brings a new development in the movement to extend postpartum coverage for 12 months, and this week was no different. On Wednesday, CMS added a “frequently asked questions” section to the extended postpartum coverage option guidance issued on December 7 (see page 14). The agency also released state-specific data on […]
The United States is currently experiencing a maternal health crisis, but it’s pregnant people of color who experience its worst effects: Black women, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are up to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women and are also more likely to experience severe complications from pregnancy […]
Today CMS released highly anticipated guidance to states implementing the new Medicaid and CHIP state plan option to provide 12 months of extended postpartum coverage to pregnant individuals enrolled in Medicaid beginning April 1, 2022. Created by the American Rescue Plan Act passed earlier this year, this policy option has been widely embraced by states […]
