The Alaska House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 58, which addresses expands Medicaid eligibility for postpartum mothers. The bill passed the House by a vote of 35-3 and was introduced at the request of the Dunleavy administration.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the extension of Medicaid coverage for women after giving birth from 60 days to 12 months.
Currently, many new mothers lose their Medicaid coverage 60 days after giving birth. This can leave them without access to vital healthcare services at a time when they and their babies need it most. SB 58 addresses this issue by extending postpartum Medicaid eligibility to one year after the birth of a child.
The House also included an additional provision which would see the expansion of Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women from 200% of the State Poverty Line to 225%.
“We are proud to support Senate Bill 58, which will help ensure that all Alaskans have access to the care they need,” said Representative Will Stapp (R-Fairbanks), who made the expansion amendment and carried the bill. “By extending postpartum Medicaid eligibility, we can help new mothers and their babies stay healthy and thrive.”
The bill may cause women to reconsider having an abortion, if they are financially unstable when they get pregnant and worry about being able to take care of the child.
Voting against the expansion were three Republicans, Reps. Ben Carpenter, Sarah Vance, and David Eastman.
The bill goes to the governor for his signature.
