HLS 23RS-3768 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 273
BY REPRESENTATIVE KNOX
MEDICAID: Urges and requests the Louisiana Department of Health to amend the state
Medicaid plan to extend pregnancy coverage
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to amend the state Medicaid plan
3 for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to extend Medicaid coverage for
4 pregnant individuals on or before September 30, 2023.
5 WHEREAS, Louisiana has one of the highest maternal death rates in the country
6with black and brown women experiencing pregnancy-related deaths at a rate that triples the
7rate for white women; and
8 WHEREAS, Louisiana is one of eight states that received an "F" on the March of
9Dimes Report Card; and
10 WHEREAS, women who are enrolled in Medicaid are at a higher risk for maternal
11morbidity and mortality according to the American College of Obstetricians and
12Gynecologists with seventy percent of women reporting a health issue after delivery; and
13 WHEREAS, from forty-three days to one year after a pregnancy, pregnancy-related
14deaths are more likely to occur.
15 WHEREAS, for every one maternal death, there are seventy maternal women who
16experience illness or a disability that may shorten their life expectancy; and
17 WHEREAS, according to the National Institutes of Health, each severe maternal
18illness may cost several thousands of dollars; and
19 WHEREAS, improving access to Medicaid by expanding postpartum care has been
20associated with a fifty percent increase in the use of outpatient care, particularly for women
21with severe maternal morbidity; and
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HR NO. 273
1 WHEREAS, Louisiana can protect the reproductive health of women, reduce
2readmissions, reduce maternal morbidity events, and reduce maternal mortality by covering
3expenses for low-income families via Medicaid; and
4 WHEREAS, maternal health should be a priority for this state because it would
5reduce costs and improve the quality of life for Louisiana families in the long term.
6 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
7Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health
8to amend the state Medicaid plan for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to
9extend Medicaid coverage for pregnant individuals on or before September 30, 2023.
10 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Medicaid pregnancy coverage extension
11shall be equal to one hundred eighty-five percent or below the federal poverty level.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
13secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 273 Original 2023 Regular Session Knox
Requests the La. Dept. of Health to amend the state Medicaid plan for the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services to extend Medicaid coverage for pregnant individuals on
or before Sept. 30, 2023.
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