Iowa would join a federal program expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months under the governor’s bill. (Photo via Getty Images)
Iowa lawmakers unanimously moved forward Monday with the governor’s proposal to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers to 12 months.
During the discussion, advocates asked for coverage of a greater income range.
Senate Study Bill 3140 would bump postpartum coverage from its current 60 days to a year, as allowed through the federal COVID-19 emergency plan signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021. The bill limits qualification for the program to people with family incomes at or below 215% of the federal poverty line — a restriction from current Medicaid eligibility for postpartum mothers at 380% of the poverty limit.
Denise Rathman with the Iowa chapter of the National Association of Social Workers said the organization was happy to see Iowa join the national program expanding postpartum care, but members were concerned about the more restrictive income requirements for participation. Rathman suggested legislators look at ways to leverage funding through the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program program to expand eligibility for the health care benefits.