Despite early controversy, Missouri governor signs postpartum Medicaid extension into law

On July 7th, Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed a bill which extended postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year after the birth of a child. He followed the example of 32 states and Washington, D.C. in doing so.

Previously, low-income women received 60 days of Medicaid coverage after giving birth. This was thought to be sufficient, as after six weeks a majority of women are cleared to return to normal activities. However, studies have shown that many pregnancy-related deaths occur after this period.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services conducted a study of maternal mortality from 2017 to 2019, which found that the “greatest proportion of pregnancy-related deaths occurred between 43 days and one year after pregnancy.” The report also states that suicide, cardiovascular disease, and substance abuse were the leading causes of maternal mortality. A majority of these deaths were considered preventable with adequate healthcare. The goal of expanding Medicaid coverage to one year postpartum is to ensure better access to healthcare when postpartum complications arise, preventing many deaths.

The report was released in 2022, and legislators responded, with the bill receiving overwhelming bi-partisan support; it passed the state Senate with a vote of 26-6.

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“Missouri’s maternal mortality rate is frighteningly high, in particular for moms of color,” said Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City. “This new law will save lives and make Missouri a safer, healthier place for new moms and their babies.”

“If we want healthy babies, we have to have healthy mamas,” Sen. Elaine Gannon, R-De Soto, said. “There are several postpartum illnesses that can creep up.”

One of the controversies surrounding the bill was some disagreement about whether expand this Medicaid coverage to women who had abortions instead of giving birth; the original bill passed by the Senate contained language that excluded these women. However, the final version of the bill omits any mention of abortion. In the end, this may be mostly irrelevant as Missouri has chosen to protect nearly all preborn children as a result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.