MOMMIES Act Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act
The bill mandates states to eliminate any eligibility standards or procedures for enrolling low-income pregnant individuals that are more restrictive than those currently in place, thus expanding access to vital healthcare services. Additionally, it calls for the coverage of oral health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals. This expansion is expected to improve overall maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities in healthcare access for underserved populations, particularly among Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities.
SB3090, also known as the 'Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act' or the 'MOMMIES Act,' proposes significant amendments to titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to enhance Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for low-income mothers. One of its primary goals is to extend Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant and postpartum individuals for up to one year following the end of their pregnancy. This aims to ensure that mothers have continued access to essential health services during the critical transition period postpartum.
Despite its intentions, the bill has faced dissent regarding its funding and implementation. Critics have raised concerns about whether states will have the necessary resources to expand Medicaid and CHIP without causing financial strain. Additionally, there are apprehensions regarding how the bill will be executed in states that experience significant inequalities in health and welfare provision, with opponents arguing that merely extending coverage does not address the underlying issues affecting these communities.