Senate Adopts Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies Act of 2022
Contact Name: Marina Altschiller
Phone: (603) 271-3375
CONCORD – Earlier today, the New Hampshire Senate unanimously voted OTP/A on Senator Sue Prentiss’s (D-West Lebanon) bill, SB 407, also known as the Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies Act of 2022. SB 407 amends the state Medicaid plan to provide 12 months of continuous coverage for new mothers and their babies at a vulnerable time. Currently, New Hampshire moms whose income is 196% of the federal poverty level, become eligible for Medicaid coverage under the Pregnancy Pathway. Pregnancy Pathway covers these mothers for 60 days after giving birth. As a result of today’s vote, New Hampshire has seized upon the opportunity to cover these women for a full 12 months after giving birth by taking advantage of federal matching ARPA dollars. The bill will next go to the House for a public committee hearing.
After the vote, prime sponsor Senator Sue Prentiss (D-West Lebanon) issued the following statement:
“I am thrilled and deeply grateful to my colleagues for their support of this critical legislation. The Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies Act of 2022 will ensure that women and infants get the health care coverage they need during the particularly vulnerable postpartum period. The number of maternal deaths is increasing across the country, and the majority of maternal pregnancy-associated deaths are preventable and occur during the postpartum period. Moms, babies, and families cannot afford to wait, and I am proud that we’re taking this opportunity to close this gap and provide continuous coverage and access to health care.”
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