Read on Twitter
A short thread on this: The MOMMIES Act, which was introduced last Congress, too, would extend full Medicaid coverage to people who became eligible for Medicaid during pregnant up to one year after giving birth instead of losing coverage after two months. 
https://twitter.com/RepPressley/status/1390320639249158149
https://twitter.com/RepPressley/status/1390320639249158149
If you enjoy my endless talk about maternal Medicaid, you're probably thinking this sounds familiar, right? Didn't this just happen?! The most recent COVID-19 relief package created a pathway for states to do this on their own called a state plan option. What's that?
The state plan option would be up to states, so they can decide whether or not to extend coverage. It also wouldn't go into effect until next year. There's also another pathway: waivers which are temporary extensions & must be approved by the federal gov. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2021-04-15/some-states-move-forward-on-medicaid-extension-to-improve-maternal-health
What's different about this bill? It's mandatory for states to extend coverage and in this bill, it's full Medicaid not just pregnancy-related. @RepPressley also has a mandatory extension in another maternal health bill she recently introduced. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-04-15/bill-would-make-postpartum-medicaid-extension-mandatory
It's worth noting that a mandatory policy has been recommended by maternal health advocates as well as the Medicaid advisors to Congress. In January, I wrote about the maternal health policies, including this one, that are expected this year. /end thread https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-01-20/lawmakers-to-renew-maternal-health-push-as-democrats-control-congress-white-house
