The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 invests unprecedented amounts of funding in the prenatal-to-3 period. As a result of this investment, states will have more support and choices to effectively build a comprehensive and equitable prenatal-to-3 system of care. The new law includes a number of provisions critical to supporting individuals and families […]
American Rescue Plan Act: Health Coverage Provisions Explained
On March 11, 2021, President Biden will sign into law the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319). The wide-ranging, critically needed COVID-19 relief legislation includes a number of key provisions that strengthen both public and private health insurance coverage.
Advancing Postpartum Coverage in Medicaid: Waiver or SPA?
The recently enacted American Rescue Plan Act has many new opportunities and important provisions that we are still absorbing and unpacking. One key change, as readers of SayAhh! know, is the new state option to provide 12 months of postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage to women after the end of their pregnancy, well beyond the […]
Pennsylvania should extend Medicaid postpartum coverage [commentary]
The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates of any developed country in the world. While this data point is surprising to many, there is now an opportunity for both the nation and Pennsylvania to improve, should our state’s Department of Human Services opt to do so.
Wolf administration promotes free testing for lead in drinking water for schools and child care programs
All schools and child care programs in Pennsylvania have been advised of the Voluntary Lead in Child Care and School Drinking Water Testing Program, which will provide $1.74 million from a federal grant for testing lead in drinking water.
Kaiser Family Foundation and Georgetown CCF Release 50-State Survey on Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility and Enrollment
The 2021 Annual 50-State Survey on Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility and Enrollment conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and CCF is now available. As in previous years, the report confirms eligibility levels for children, pregnant women, parents and expansion adults.
Small Piece of the Stimulus Has Ambitious Aim of Saving Mothers’ Lives
It’s easy to overlook amid the hundreds of pages of the $1.9 trillion stimulus plan President Biden signed into law Thursday, but a short section aims to combat America’s maternal mortality crisis by expanding health coverage for new mothers.
House-Passed American Rescue Plan Act Would Spur Medicaid Expansion and Promote Maternal Health
On February 27, the House passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319), its COVID-19 relief reconciliation bill. The bill includes a number of provisions strengthening Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), including provisions that would encourage states to finally take up the Medicaid expansion and allow states to provide longer […]
Child Medicaid Enrollment Grew by 10% during the Pandemic in 2020
A new brief from KFF based on federal CMS data reports that Medicaid enrollment increased by 8.6% between February 2020 (i.e., before the pandemic roared into everyone’s awareness) and September 2020.
Medicaid and CHIP Coverage for Pregnant Women: Federal Requirements, State Options
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are key supports for pregnant women and new mothers, as well as their children in the critical early years of life. Medicaid pays for nearly half of all births in the United States, including a greater share of births in rural areas, among young women, and women […]
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We're a non-partisan, statewide campaign with the goal of ensuring each mother and child in PA has the opportunity for affordable, quality health care access.
🚨Bill update🚨:
We’re excited to report that @RepCephas’ HB 1806 passed and is headed to the Governor’s desk! The bill will extend Medicaid coverage to doula services and create a Doula Advisory Board.
And @pablackmhc, @PAHumanServices announced this morning that a State Plan Amendment will be submitted to ensure Medicaid coverage for doula services. Thank you, @pablackmhc and @RepCephas, for your hard work to reduce maternal mortality in PA.