TL/DR –
The Biden-Harris Administration has proposed new policies aimed at improving maternal health and supporting underserved communities. This includes extending postpartum Medicaid coverage and implementing new hospital standards. Other policies aim to reduce health disparities within incarcerated populations and indigenous communities, such as increasing Medicare payments for high-cost medications in Indian Health Service and tribal facilities.
The Biden-Harris Administration recently rolled out a set of new policy proposals aiming to enhance maternal health and uplift underserved communities. The policies include extended postpartum Medicaid coverage, new hospital standards, and several other initiatives that address health disparities in incarcerated and indigenous populations.
Impact of Policy Changes
These changes to health care policy could greatly influence maternal health outcomes and reproductive health services access. Here’s how to gauge the impact of these policies:
Story Ideas
- Examine how policy changes will affect local hospitals and health care providers.
- Interview local health officials and administrators about the practical impacts of the new hospital standards and Medicaid coverage extensions.
- Compare maternal health outcomes in states with and without 12-month continuous eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP.
- Highlight personal stories of new mothers benefiting from extended postpartum Medicaid coverage or formerly incarcerated individuals accessing Medicare.
Key Proposals Outlined
The proposed rules extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for children under 19 on Medicaid or CHIP. This increases access to care for new mothers and ensures more consistent care for nearly 40 million children.
The proposal also includes changes to hospital and surgery center outpatient care payment structures, potentially affecting service range and cost. Moreover, it introduces new requirements for obstetrical services, with a focus on enhancing emergency obstetrical service preparedness.
Further, the proposal sets a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D, potentially benefiting older adults with high medication costs.
The plan also eases access to Medicare for formerly incarcerated individuals and increases Medicare payments for necessary medications in Indian Health Service and tribal facilities.
For further details, refer to the full proposed rule and fact sheets.
Additional Resources
Public comments on the proposed rule are open until Sept. 9. To learn more, check out the Federal Register and CMS websites.
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