Statement of ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray on H.R. 4996, the Helping MOMS Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2019                                      

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515 

 

STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON 
H.R. 4996, THE HELPING MOMS ACT 

WASHINGTONToday, ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray issued the following statement on H.R. 4996, the Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services (Helping MOMS) Act, which would offer states incentives to extend Medicaid coverage for new mothers for up to one year after giving birthThe bill was marked up today by the House Energy & Commerce Committee. 

ACAP has long supported 12-month continuous eligibility for all Medicaid beneficiaries and the bipartisan Helping MOMs Act represents a strong step forward for making Medicaid coverage that moms can count on. 

Maternal mortality has increased over the last 25 years, and women of color face risks three to four times higher than those of white womenMore than half of women who are covered by Medicaid or CHIP when they give birth experience a gap in coverage in the following six months. This is completely unacceptable  

Medicaid provides access to critical health care services for new moms and more than 70 million other Americans. But study after study has shown the benefits of extending 12-month continuous eligibility to people who are covered through Medicaid or CHIP.  

“We view the Helping MOMS Act as a good first step in making Medicaid coverage work better, and supporting families by helping new mothers. We appreciate the support of the sponsors of this bill on both sides of the aisleACAP believes that the same protections should be extended to working adults, children, those with disabilities, and the elderly and we call on Congress to enact the Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act. 

About ACAP 

ACAP represents 70 not-for-profit Safety Net Health Plans, which collectively serve more than 20 million people enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other public health programs. For more, visit www.communityplans.net or www.coverageyoucancounton.org. 

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