Rep. Frankel: Extended Health Coverage for New Mothers Will Save Lives

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, May 28 -- Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Florida, issued the following news release:

In response to the maternal mortality crisis, the Biden Administration has approved Florida's application to extend postpartum Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage from 60 days to 12 months after childbirth. The extended coverage will help postpartum patients receive care for longer periods of time as they recover from pregnancy and birth--a period during which about one-third of maternal death occurs. Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) released the following statement in response to the announcement.

"The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world," said Rep. Frankel. "No baby or mom should die because of lack of care. Expanding Medicaid and CHIP Coverage for a full year after birth is going to make a critical difference for the health of new mothers and their infants."

The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world, a crisis that hits Black women three-to-four times harder than non-Hispanic white women. The continuation of Medicaid coverage is an important factor in preventing these tragedies.

This extension will impact over 50,000 women giving birth in Florida each year. Florida's extension of Medicaid and CHIP coverage for postpartum individuals is part of an ongoing effort by the Biden-Harris Administration's Department of Health and Human Services to address the nation's ongoing pregnancy-related mortality crisis.

Learn more here (https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-applauds-12-month-postpartum-expansion-california-florida-kentucky-and-oregon).