The American Heart Association (www.heart.org) is thrilled to announce that ensuring the health and well-being of new moms and babies took a positive step forward last week when Governor Pillen announced that Nebraska Medicaid postpartum coverage will be extended from two months to 12 months beginning on January 1, 2024.
Extending health care coverage from 60 days to 12 months following birth is important to addressing health issues that are discovered during pregnancy or resulting from pregnancy and will allow:
- Lower income pregnant women to obtain comprehensive care coverage so they can get all of the health care services they need to be healthy during and following pregnancy
- Lower risk of health problems for the baby during infancy and long-term benefits throughout growth and development
- A higher rate of women more likely to seek well-child visits for their children
- Fewer children at risk for out-of-home placement
- Assistance with early identification and treatment of postpartum depression, quitting smoking, preventing violence and treating substance use disorders
The American Heart Association’s mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.heart.org.