When celebrating moms with flowers, brunch, and FaceTime, you need to take some time on Mother’s Day to give your Texas moms the health care they need.
There are many steps that policy makers should take, but one important proposal is 66 Texas, from Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dade Phelan to Congressman Tony Rose, D-Dallas, and the Texas Medical Association to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. Supported by legislators up to the organization. The Department of Commerce to my organization, Texas Care for Children.
The suggestion is simple. Once a Texas mother has Medicade Health Insurance to cover her pregnancy and childbirth, she will continue to be insured until her baby’s first birthday and see a doctor.
The Texans throughout the political spectrum are focused on this first year after childbirth, as they are so important not only to the health of the mother, but also to the health and development of the baby. For example, the Maternal Mortality and Prevalence Review Board, appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, has called for a one-year comprehensive health insurance policy for maternal mortality as an important strategy to prevent maternal mortality.
And we know that maternal mortality is just the tip of the iceberg. More Texas mothers face medical problems and complications the year after pregnancy, including postpartum depression, cardiac arrest, infections, and dangerous blood clots.
These problems often lead to extra hospitalization, long-term health problems for mothers and babies, and higher costs to Medicaid and the state.
Current state policy is that when the pandemic’s emergency public health regulations end later this year (probably August 1st), Texas will end its mother’s Medicaid health insurance when the baby is only two months old. To resume.
Congress took an important step last year to address this challenge, but it’s a partial step, and Texas hasn’t been able to do it yet. Under Ferran’s leadership, Texas House passed House Building 133, allowing mothers to maintain health insurance for 12 months. The Senate shortened it to six months, Senator Royce Colhorst of R-Brenham worked bravely to pass it, and the Governor signed it to the law.
If Texas approves a 12-month compensation, it will have already been implemented for Texas mothers. Under federal policy, passed in 2021 and in force last month, states can easily implement a 12-month compensation plan.In fact, that’s it
On the other hand, the six-month approach passed by the Texas State Parliament requires the state to negotiate with the federal government for an exemption under Medicaid’s rules. This is always a slow and uncertain process. We have approved the state exemption request, but state leaders should not stop there.
This week, Texas House is holding a hearing to discuss where HB 133 stands and the best way to move forward.
The best solution is for the Legislature to finish work, enroll the new mother in Medicaid for a year, and truly honor the Texas mother.
Diana Forester is responsible for the health policy of the Texans Care for Children.
