The American Rescue Plan Contains an Evidence-Based Policy Win for New Mothers

Due to the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, many new mothers can worry less about the possibility of losing their health insurance coverage. The bill contains a much-anticipated provision giving states the option, to extend pregnancy-related Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for a year following the end of pregnancy. Currently, such coverage expires just 60 days after delivery, placing many new mothers at risk of uninsurance during a particularly critical time for mother and baby. Extensive research evidence suggests this policy change could result in increased coverage and improved health care access and affordability among thousands of new mothers nationwide. According to Urban Institute research, if every state adopts this new provision, approximately 123,000 uninsured mothers could become newly eligible for Medicaid/CHIP coverage during their infant’s first year. #covid-19