HCS HBs 354, 965, 254 & 957 Davidson, Bishop Committee
HCS HBs 354, 965, 254 & 957 -- MEDICAID SERVICES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
SPONSOR: Davidson
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Emerging Issues by a vote of 14 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Legislative Oversight by a vote of 8 to 2.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 354.
Currently, low-income pregnant and postpartum women receiving benefits through MO HealthNet for pregnant women or the Show-Me Healthy Babies Program are eligible for pregnancy-related coverage throughout the pregnancy and for 60 days following the end of the pregnancy. This bill provides that MO HealthNet coverage for such women will include full Medicaid benefits for the duration of the pregnancy and for one year following the end of the pregnancy. This coverage shall begin on the effective date of the bill, and shall continue during any period of time the federal authorization for such coverage is in effect.
This bill has an emergency clause.
This bill is similar to HB 2604 (2022).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill is critical to providing coverage and aid to postpartum women, a vulnerable group in need. This bill does not expand coverage to new recipients, instead extending coverage pursuant to federal fundings. The extension of this coverage is a pro-life measure and has broad support. It extends coverage to a distinctive and discrete group and does not risk undue or unexpected expansion. Missouri has one of the highest pregnancy-related death rates in the United States. The extension of this coverage is critical for the state. Over 75% of maternal deaths are preventable with the appropriate care. Forty-five percent of women who deliver are on Medicaid, and over 60% of deaths occur after the expiration of current coverage. The extension of this coverage from 60 days to a full year following the end of the pregnancy will be an effective means of saving the lives of both mothers and their children.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Davidson; Pro Choice Missouri; Campaign Life Missouri; Ravi Johar, MD, American College of OB-GYNs, Missouri Section; Missouri Right To Life; Missouri Budget Project; Missouri Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics; Missouri Kidsfirst; National Assn of Social Workers Missouri Chapter; BJC Healthcare; Coxhealth; Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics; Children's Trust Fund; St. Louis County; Missouri Family Health Council; Mo College of Emergency Physicians; Mo Coalition for Children; Preferred Family Health; Health Forward Foundation; Missouri Dental Association; Signature Medical Group; Catholic Charities Archdiocese of St. Louis; Cheryl Adelstein, Jewish Community Relations Council; Missouri Hospital Association; Kids Win Missouri; SSM Health; Mo Coalition Against Domestic Sexual Violence; Ryan Deboef, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons; Missouri Nurses Association; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN); Suzanne Opperman, RN, APRN; Ravi Johar, MD, American Heart Association and the Missouri State Medical Association .
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say women are at an increased risk of pregnancy-related deaths for up to a year after birth. Pregnancy-related deaths in Missouri are four times higher than the national average, with most of these deaths being preventable. Two common approaches to expanding Medicaid coverage for pregnant and postpartum women include full Medicaid expansion for all adults at or near the poverty line, and more targeted postpartum coverage expansion. The first approach of universal expansion is associated with an up to 40% reduction in maternal deaths, compared to non-Medicaid expansion states.
Testifying in person on the bill was Ramon Martinez, Most Policy Initiative.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.