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Statement of ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray on H.R. 4996, The Helping MOMS Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2020
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515
STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON H.R. 4996, THE HELPING MOMS ACT
WASHINGTON—Today, 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 birth. The House of Representatives passed the bill today.
“ACAP applauds the bipartisan support for the Helping MOMS Act, which is a strong step toward addressing the maternal mortality crisis and making Medicaid coverage moms can count on.
“Medicaid helps new moms access critical care. But more 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. Extending 12 months of continuous eligibility to postpartum moms is the right thing to do—study after study has shown the benefits of continuous eligibility not just for moms but for all people who are covered through Medicaid or CHIP.
“The Helping MOMS Act will help Medicaid work better for moms and families. We thank the sponsors on both sides of the aisle for their efforts to approve this legislation and urge the Senate to follow suit.”
About ACAP:
ACAP represents 77 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 20 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net or http://www.coverageyoucancounton.org
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