Texas House gives initial OK to Medicaid coverage expansion for mothers until one year postpartum

The Texas House on Wednesday gave initial approval 116-29 to a bill to extend Medicaid coverage to mothers for one year postpartum, a move advocates say could reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate.

Currently, some low-income mothers in Texas lose Medicaid coverage 60 days after pregnancy.

“For the past few years, I’ve heard from families across the state who have lost loved ones due to complications of childbirth,” said state Rep. Toni Rose, D-Dallas, author of the bill. “Believe me when I say that this issue knows no political or geographical boundaries.”

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Health experts and advocates have pushed for years for lawmakers to expand this coverage period, citing state health data that shows one third of maternal deaths in Texas occur between 43 days and one year after pregnancy. Lawmakers failed to pass a similar bill in 2019.

The chamber must vote to give final approval to House Bill 133 before it heads to the Senate for consideration.

An identical bill filed by Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, has not received a committee hearing in the Senate.

Pregnant women who do not have health insurance can qualify for free health coverage through Medicaid for Pregnant Women, which makes coverage available for women during pregnancy and for two months after birth if they fall under certain monthly income thresholds based on family size ($2,126 or less for a single woman, $3,624 for a family of three).

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas House gives initial OK to Medicaid coverage expansion for mothers until one year postpartum

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