Democratic Members of Illinois Delegation Endorse Postpartum Care Expansion for New Moms

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, Democratic members of the Illinois delegation wrote to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services endorsing the state's waiver request to expand care access to new moms for the entire postpartum period.

In endorsing the waiver request, they wrote: "Illinois' waiver request demonstrates innovative solutions to the maternal mortality crisis and embodies the intent of Congress in creating the Medicaid program to provide medical assistance to our nation's most vulnerable populations."

In Illinois, maternal deaths have reached crisis levels. According to the Illinois Department of Health's Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report, 93 new Illinois moms lost their lives in 2015. On average, the state lost 73 new moms from 2008-2016 each year and 72 percent of these deaths were deemed to be preventable.

Expanding Medicaid coverage to the entire postpartum period is a proven strategy to reduce maternal deaths.

At present, Medicaid, which covers 44 percent of births in Illinois, expires for new moms just 60 days after giving birth, well short of the one-year coverage recommendation from medical experts. Evidence shows that 70 percent of new moms will have at least one complication within a year of giving birth.

"New moms should be able to see their doctor when they're experiencing medical issues. Expanding the Medicaid coverage window to the entire postpartum period is a simple but proven and critical step to reduce maternal deaths," said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, vice-chair of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. "Ensuring new moms can see their doctor when they need their doctor most will help keep moms, babies and families safe, healthy and thriving. This is a crucial first step toward saving lives."

The letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was signed by Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Representatives Bobby Rush (IL-01), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Marie Newman (IL-03), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Mike Quigley (IL-05) Sean Casten (IL-06), Danny Davis (IL-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Bill Foster (IL-11), Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Cheri Bustos (IL-17).