State of Play

Congress should pass S. 1606/H.R. 3305, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to make critical investments in maternal health care and address the drivers of health that impact maternal mortality and morbidity.

Bolster the community-based workforce by passing legislation that will create a sustainable payment structure in Medicaid for doulas, midwives, and community health workers.

Congress should pass S. 3892, the Community Health Worker Access Act that will increase access to CHWs for Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries. The legislation aims to provide reimbursement for CHWs through Medicare and provide an optional state benefit through Medicaid.

Build toward data justice by establishing disaggregated data tracking and reporting requirements for service agencies and programs, with requirements for tacking and reporting by race, ethnicity, and language (REaL) and sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).

Lift the five-year waiting period for lawfully present immigrants to access Medicaid and CHIP, along with social safety net programs, by passing the LIFT the BAR Act.

Extend enrollment periods in Medicaid and CHIP for all who qualify by passing S. 3138, the Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act, which will increase coverage stability for perinatal people who are transferring off pregnancy-related Medicaid and their families.

State Medicaid programs must reimagine the coverage, accessibility, and delivery of maternal health care. To improve outcomes for women, and in particular women of color, care must be holistic, patient-centered, and equally accessible to every pregnant person in need of free or low-cost comprehensive health coverage. States must therefore consider the breadth of barriers and opportunities that exist within state Medicaid programs, Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), and Community-based Organizations (CBOs) to expand covered benefits, improve health care infrastructure, and expand eligibility of clinical providers and the nonclinical support workforce.

Every state must implement the 12-month Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Extension made permanent by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. The extension improves coverage stability for postpartum people and helps to address racial disparities in maternal health care.

State Medicaid Agencies must include integral community-based services in state Medicaid pregnancy coverage benefits. States must provide coverage for community-based services that address health related social needs and improve health outcomes, such as Doula and community health worker services, health care navigation, lactation consultations, and more.