The Wolf Administration, members of the Women’s Health Caucus, Marianne Fray, CEO of the Maternity Care Coalition, and Gerria Coffee, owner of Genesis Birth Services, today highlighted Pennsylvania’s extension of postpartum coverage for people eligible for Medicaid due to their pregnancy.
“Maternal mortality rates in this country and Pennsylvania have continued to rise year over year with Black women and people of color bearing a tragically higher burden of pregnancy-related complications and deaths. We have a responsibility and obligation to do more to reverse this tragic and preventable loss of life,” said Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Snead. “If we espouse the value of human life, then we need to do everything we can to value and take care of moms, babies, and parents, no matter their race, ethnicity, income, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ZIP code. Access to high-quality, essential health care is the bare minimum that we should be offering to our fellow Pennsylvanians. Opting into the postpartum Medicaid extension is an important step, and we must continue to invest in health programs that can improve care and save lives.”
"Doula support will and is improving maternal and infant health outcomes, lactation/breastfeeding initation and duration outocomes and overtime can help to improve maternal mortality rates in Pennsylvania."
Among the Wolf Administration’s recent investments in maternal-child care, effective April 1, under the American Rescue Plan Act, the Medicaid postpartum coverage period was extended for mothers and birthing people who are eligible for the program because of their pregnancy to one year following the end of a pregnancy. Previously, people eligible for Medicaid due to their pregnancy received coverage for only 60 days after giving birth.
Speakers include:
Meg Snead, Acting Secretary, Department of Human Services
Dr. Denise Johnson, Acting Secretary, DOH
Marianne Fray, CEO, Maternity Care Coalition
Gerria Coffee, Owner, Genesis Birth Services
Sen. Amanda Cappelletti
Rep. Morgan Cephas
Rep. Mary Jo Daley
Rep. Gina Curry
Rep. Dan Frankel
Sen. Carolyn Comitta
Sen. Tim Kearney