LEGISLATURE WILL HEAR TESTIMONY ON EXPANDING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO POSTPARTUM CARE

A bill before the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing would extend postpartum coverage under MassHealth from 60 days to 12 months

WHO:

Senator Joan Lovely, lead sponsor of S.799

Representative Liz Miranda, lead sponsor of H.1297

Yaminah Romulus, Health Care For All

Dr. Carole Allen, Massachusetts Medical Society

Christina Gebel, Accompany Doula Care

Shannon Moore, Boston Children’s Hospital

Kate Symmonds, Mass Law Reform Institute

Samia Walker, health care consumer from New Bedford

Alexandra Warren, Health Law Advocates

WHEN: Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 11 am

WHERE: Livestream will be availablehere.

WHAT: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing will hear testimony on An Act relative to expanding equitable access to maternal postpartum care (HB 1297/SB 799), sponsored by Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Liz Miranda. Currently, pregnant and birthing individuals with MassHealth insurance are only eligible to receive coverage during their pregnancy and for 60 days postpartum, which is not sufficient to address the medical and socioemotional needs of the postpartum period. This bill would extend postpartum coverage under MassHealth to 12 months and set the stage for continuous coverage during a critical time, impacting the long-term health and well-being of pregnant and birthing individuals, their families and their communities.

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN

Shira Laucharoen is a reporter based in Boston. She currently serves as the assistant director of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. In the past she has written for Sampan newspaper, The Somerville Times, Scout Magazine, Boston Magazine, and WBUR.