On April 1, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the new option for states to extend Medicaid and CHIP coverage for a full 12 months postpartum. This extension is now in effect for those in the postpartum period. In states that have elected to extend the funding, mothers who otherwise would not be eligible for Medicaid outside of pregnancy will now receive 12 months of health care coverage. This has the potential to help an additional 720,000 mothers and is a critical step towards increasing access to maternal health and maternal mental health care. The Biden Administration indicates that this is part of their broader strategy to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.

To learn more about which states have taken action to extend Medicaid, review this March 2022 report to Congress from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission.

In addition to expanded coverage for moms, the Administration announced that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will be awarding $4.5 million in grants for “hiring, training, certifying, and compensating community-based doulas in areas with high rates of adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.” 2020 Mom recognizes the important role that doulas can play in preventing and supporting a mother through maternal mental health disorders, and we applaud the Administration for their commitment to better meeting the needs of moms.

These announcements are significant for the maternal mental health community, and 2020 Mom will continue to work with the Administration on advancing further policies that support moms.