As a constituent and advocate for saving and supporting mothers, I urge you to immediately advance legislation that would allow states to provide continuous Medicaid or CHIP coverage to new mothers in the year following birth.

Each year, 700 mothers die due to pregnancy-related causes. Another 50,000 women experience life-threatening pregnancy complications. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native mothers are dying at rates two to three times higher than their white peers.

The Society For Maternal Fetal Medicine, the association for high-risk pregnancy, Ob/Gyns notes “While improving maternal health and reducing inequities requires a multifaceted response, we know that ensuring one year of continuous postpartum health insurance is foundational to addressing ending maternal deaths.”

The CDC reports that ⅓ of all pregnancy-related deaths occur between 43-365 days postpartum. However, Medicaid coverage ends just 60 days after a mother gives birth.

In late September, the US House of Representatives took an important step toward ensuring that new mothers have insurance for a full year postpartum by passing the Helping MOMS Act (HR 4996). The bipartisan legislation, which passed the House unanimously, allows states to extend postpartum Medicaid or CHIP coverage from 60 days to a full year to reduce the risk of not treating the many physical and behavioral health issues which cause maternal deaths during this period.

It is time for the Senate to do its part by immediately considering and passing HR 4996 so it can be signed into law this year.

Please show your commitment to preventing tragic maternal deaths.